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Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Instltut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notas/Notas  tachniquaa  at  bibliographiquas 


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Tha  Instituta  has  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  baat 
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□    Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


r~1    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagie 


□    Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  at/ou  palliculie 

□    Cover  title  missing/ 
La  titra  de  couverture  manque 

I — I    Coloured  maps/ 


D 
D 
D 
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Cartes  gtegraphiquas  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
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Bound  with  other  material/ 
RelM  avac  d'autres  documents 


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La  re  liure  serrie  peut  causer  de  i'ombre  ou  de  la 
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Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
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II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutias 
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mais,  lorsqua  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
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Additional  comments:/ 
Commentairas  supplAmentairas; 


L'Instltut  a  microfilm*  la  meillaur  examplaira 
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de  cet  exemplaira  qui  sont  paut-*tre  uniques  du 
point  da  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvant  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mithoda  normala  de  filmaga 
sont  indiquis  ci-dessous. 


D 
D 

n 
n 

D 
D 

n 


Coloured  pages/ 
Pagaa  de  couleur 

Pagea  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagias 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurias  at/ou  palliculies 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
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Lea  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
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obtanir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


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This  item  is  filmed  at  tha  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmi  au  taux  de  rMuction  indlqui  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

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12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


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The  copy  filmed  here  hat  ba«n  reproduced  thanke 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


L'exempiaire  filmA  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
gAn^rositA  de: 

BibliothAque  nationale  du  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  iceeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  bacic  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  AtA  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetA  de  l'exempiaire  film*,  et  eh 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  ImprimAe  sont  filmte  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration.  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmte  en  commengant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — »•  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"}, or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  dos  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernlAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc..  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmAs  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diffArents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
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de  Tangle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
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WHO  DEPARtED  THIS  LIFE,  lANUAST  iOai».18HL 


••^ 


*         BY  ASHBEL  GREEN,  D.  D. 

KiBttfdtli: 

S.    ANDRUS    AND    SON. 

1843. 


■!^3 


Eaihi  *  DUtrkt  ^  JP<»iii<yl>airfg,  to  nmit 

$••••«    BE  IT  REMEMBERED,  That  on  the  fint  tvt  of  Mar,  in  the 
•  L.  S.«  ftfty'MCond  tmut  of  the  independence  of  the  United  States  of 
$««mS  America,  A.  I>.  1838,  Jacob  J.  Jariwat,  (in  behalf  of  the  execu- 
tors ^tne  Rer.  Joseph  Eastborn)  of  the  said  district,  has  deposited  in  this 
olBce  the  title  of  a  Bod^  the  rigm  whereof  they  claim  as  Proprietors,  in  the 
words  fUlowinf,  to  wit :  \  , 

•(  Mamsir  of  &•  lllv.  Jsesah  SaptbiinL  (tfaled  Poacher  in  the  Mariner's 
Chth,  Phiads^hiat  wjg&nrted  mU^hmmn^f^ySIV^  ByAshbel 
Chreen,  D.  D.** 

In  ConfbrmitT  to  the  Act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  cortitled, 
**  An  Act  fbr  tne  enconrafBiB«nt  of  Learmn*,  by  seearing  thtf  copies  of 
Maps,  C%arts,  and  Books,  to  the  Authors  and  Piroprietors  of  iach  copies 
dortnf  the  times  therein  mentioned.**  And  also  to  the  Act  entitled,  '*  An 
Act  sapplementarjr  to  an  Act,  entitled  *  An  Act  for  the  Encouragement  of 
Learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of  Maps,  Charts,  and  Books,  to  the  Authors 
and  Proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  mentioned,*  and 
•ztMiding  the  benefts  thereof  to  the  arte  of  designing,  engraving,  and  etch- 
ing,  historical  and  other  Prints.** 

D.  CALDWELL,  CforJfcit/'l&s 

EttiUm  Distrid  qf  PmnsylvatUa. 


(jl^  One  half  of  the  profits  arising  from  the  publication 
of  this  book,  is  to  be  appropriated  to  the  use  of  the  Mariners 
Church  of  Philadelphia. 


i»- -£>-*-"    *--*? 


->'«14 


«-^         .' 


To  the  founders  and  supporters  of  the  Mariner^s 
Church  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia; 

To  the  Rev.  Alfred  H.  Dashiell,  who  statedly 
ministers  in  that  church; 

And  to  the  mariners  and  their  families  who 
attend  on  public  worship  there, — 

These  Memoirs  of  a  man  who  was  exceedingly 
and  deservedly  dear  to  them  all,  are  most 

respectfully  and  affectionately 
inscribed,  by 

THE  AUTHOR. 


V 


Ji 


M\mT.\h  :mt 


if 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

HIb  Parentage,  Education,  and  first  Roligioua  Exercwes  • 

CHAPTER  n. 

Remarks  on  Mr.  Eastbam's  narrative— his  marriage  and  the 
character  of  his  wife— his  exile  from  and  retnm  to  Pfaila<> 
delphia — his  bearing  arms — his  son — ^is  refused  to  be  taken 
on  trials  for  the  gospel  ministry,  by  the  Synod  of  New- 
York  and  Philadelphia— his  rebaptizatipn 

CHAPTER  HI. 

Mr.  Eastbum  enters  into  partnership-Hsbaracter  of  his  part* 
ner — situation  of  his  workshop,  and  ccmversations  in  it— 
his  long  and  unabated  struggle  with  adverse  worldly  cir- 
cumstances—his conduct  and  Bufferings  in  several  aeastms 
of  pestilence— his  kind  attentions  t>  the  afflicted  fiimily  of 
Dr.  Sprout^-the  way  providentiatty  opened  ibr  his  de- 
liverance from  worldly  embarrassment,  and  for  his  becom- 
ing a  religious  teacher — ^plan  for  his  services  in  the 
Northern  Liberties  oi  Philadelphia^-^  departs  frrom  that 
plan,  and  remarks  on  the  subject 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Unhappy  consequences  of  Mr.  Eastbum's  acting  as  a  cate- 
chist  and  ezhorter  without  a  regular  designation;  the 
manner  in  which  the  evil  was  arrested;  Mr.  E.'b  examip 
nation  and  qualified  licensure  by  the  Presb3^ry  of  Phila- 
delphia   

A  2 


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36 


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ri  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  V. 

Pag* 

His  license  entirely  satisfkctory  to  himself— his  fidelity  and 

Buccesfl  in  the  Hospital,  Aims-House,  and  Prison  of  Phila- 
delphia— his  labors,  various  and  incessant,  and  acceptable 
to  difierent  denominations — ^he  is  principally  instrumental 
in  forming  a  congregations-death  of  his  wife,  and  entire 
relinquishmeBt  of  his  mechanical  business 4d 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Continuesto  preach  to  the  8ailovB,aiid  inyarious  other  places 
— sickness  and  death 76 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Miscellaneous  particulars  and  remarks — Conclusion    .    .    .107 

^  FIRST  APPENDIX. 

Letters .   , 129 

Narratives  and  Anecdotes,  extracted  from  Mr.  Eastbum's 

Manuscripts 164 

Mr.  Eastbum's  Will 177 

SECOND  APPENDIX. 

A  Faitblbl  Narrative  of  the  many  Dangers  and  Sufferings, 
as  well  as  wonderAil  iJeKverances,  of  Robert  Eastbum, 
during  his  kte  Captivity  among  the  Indians 181 

♦ 

fait    :aKjil*-  -^^.^.-"-^     -   :;^--ri^:^  *s-jrhx>4x!}   Ui^;^,:-^ 


MEMOIRS 


Of  THI 


iBXT«  9<S)3is3>ii  m^aiwMims, 


•      • 

129 

(urn's 

•    • 

164 

•    • 

177 

w«»i 

>uni. 

•    • 

181 

CHAPTER  I. 

His  Parentage,  Ediication,  and  first  Religious  Exercises, 

The  name  and  virtues  of  Joseph  Eastburn,  have 
probably  been  already  celebrated  in  the  four  quarters  of 
the  globe.  The  last  ten  years  of  his  life  were  so  disin- 
terestedly, assiduously,  and  affectionately,  devoted  to  all 
the  best  interests  of  seamen,  that  a  large  number  of  them 
regarded  him  with  the  veneration  and  attachment  which 
dutiful  children  bear  to  a  worthy  parent ;  and  with  their 
characteristic  warmth  of  feeling,  tnere  is  little  reason  to 
doubt  that  they  have  proclaimed  his  praise,  in  every 
region  to  which  their  vocation  hai  caued  them.  Not 
only  in  many  of  the  sea-ports  of  our  own  continent,  but 
on  the  coasts  of  Asia  and  Africa,  and  in  various  parts  of 
Europe,  we  may  believe  that  they  have  extolled  his  piety, 
commended  his  benevolence,  and  exhibited  him  as  an 
example.  In  Britain  especially,  the  religious  journals 
which  are  occupied  with  the  concerns  of  mariners,  give 
abundant  evidence  of  the  high  estimation  in  which  he 
was  held  in  that  country. 

But  the  best  evidence  of  a  man^s  real  character  is  de- 
rived from  the  public  sentiment,  in  the  place  of  his  stated 
residence,  and  where  of  course  he  is  most  fully  known. 
Of  this  sentiment  there  was  a  striking  expression,  in  re- 
ference to  Mr.  Eastburn,  when  his  obsequies  were  solemn- 
ized, in  the  city  wiiere  he  was  bom,  and  where  he  had 
lived  till  he  had  entered  his  eightieth  year.  More  than 
five  thousand  persons,  it  is  believed,  came  to  see,  and 
many  of  them  to  weep  over,  his  remains,  before  the 


2  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBUUN. 

coffin  was  closed  upon  Ihem.  And  although  his  funeral 
was  of  the  plainest  kind,  without  gloves,  scarfs,  pall,  or 
hearse ;  and  although  a  copious  fall  of  rain  descended 
without  intermission,  while  the  procession  was  moving 
from  his  residence  to  the  place  of  interment ;  yet  a  mul- 
titude  of  all  characters,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest, 
and  of  all  ages,  and  both  sexes,  produced  such  a  throng, 
through  five  squares  of  the  city,  that  it  was  frequenttv 
necessary  to  stop,  till  an  opening  could  be  made  through 
the  crowd  for  the  passage  of  the  corpse.  The  feeling  of 
respect  for  the  deceased,  manifested  on  that  occasion, 
taken  in  all  its  circumstances,  was  certainly  of  a  very  sin- 
gular and  most  extraordinary  character. 

And  how,  it  may  be  asked,  was  this  celebrity  and  affec- 
tionate attachment  obtained?  Was  it  acquired  by  an  illus- 
trious parentage,  by  splendid  genius,  by  great  talents,  by 
distinguished  erudition,  or  by  munificent  donatives  ?  No- 
thing, not  an  iota,  of  all  this.  The  individual  concerned 
was  of  humble  binth,  he  had  no  pretensions  to  genius,  no 
eminence  of  intellectual  powers  or  attainments,  little 
learning,  and  but  a  scanty  property.  The  whole  must 
be  attributed  to  simple,  genuine,  consistent,  fervent,  ac- 
tive, eminent  piety.  Of  the  influence  and  esteem  which 
such  a  piety  may  secure  to  its  possessor,  by  manifesting 
itself  in  all  the  ^orms  in  which  it  will,  without  seeking  or 
expecting  such  an  effect,  become  conspicuous,  Mr.  East- 
burn  was  one  of  the  most  striking  instances  that  the  world 
has  ever  seen.  To  show  what  such  a  piety  may  effect, 
is  a  principal  object  of  the  present  memoir ;  and  what  it 
has  effected,  has  therefore  been  summarily  stated  at  the 
entrance ;  that  the  whole  of  the  subsequent  narrative  may 
illustrate  and  impress  a  fact,  honourable  to  religion,  and 
calculated  to  promote  its  influence  and  extension. 

Autobiography,  or  a  man^s  life  written  by  himself,  has 
become  fashionable;  and  doubtless  it  has  some  advan- 
tages. An  individual  is  not  only  able,  but  permitted,  to 
say  of  himself,  a  number  of  things  which  no  one  else 
could,  or  ought,  to  say  of  him.  Till  the  writer  of  this 
memoir  had  engaged  to  draw  it  up,  he  did  not  know  or 
suspect  that  the  subject  of  it  had  penned  an  account  of 
the  first  part  of  his  own  life.    It  was  however  a  very 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURM.  9 

agreeable  surprise  when  he  found  that  this  had  been 
done ;  and  as  soon  as  the  papier  was  perused,  the  resohi- 
tion  was  taken  to  insert  it,  without  the  addition  or  sup- 
pression of  a  single  thought,  and  with  as  little  alteration 
as  possible  of  the  language.  If  the  fastidious  should  cen- 
sure him  for  this,  he  is  willing  to  bear  it  He  believei 
that  if  he  had  new  cast  the  whole,  he  would  not  have 
been  able  to  present  a  view  of  Mr.  Eastbum^s  earlj  life, 
aiid  especially  of  his  first  religious  exercises,  nearly  so 
interesting  or  so  useful  to  the  pious  reader,  as  that  which 
he  will  now  find.  It  was  desirable,  besides,  to  show,  as 
far  as  practicable,  this  excellent  man  precisely- attch  at  he 
toas;  and  this  was  partly  to  be  done  by  letting  the  reader 
see  how  he  spoke  of  himself,  and  in  what  manner  he  ex- 
pressed his  tnouehts  in  writing.  He  wa8,innofe8pect, 
an  imitator ;  but  he  seems  to  have  read  the  works  of  the 
inimitable  John  Bnnyan,  till  he  had  unknowingly  caught 
something  of  his  manner.    His  narrative  is  as  follows: 

**  At  the  pressing  request  of  some  of  my  religioiis  friends 
that  I  should  give  some  account  of  my  life  and  religious 
experience,  it  is  with  reluctance  I  now  make  an  attempt 
to  comply — truly  willing  that  my  name  should  be  buried 
with  my  body,  as  to  the  opinion  of  my  feHow-men ;  for  I 
do  know  and  feel  that  in  all  things  I  have  come  short 

*^  As  to  my  parentage,  my  father,  Robert  Eastburn,* 
came  from  old  England  when  quite  young,  of  a  strict 
Quaker  family,  and  continued  for  some  time  in  that  con- 
nexion, and  was  married  in  their  public  meeting,  in  their 
way.     My  mother  also  belonged  to  the  same  denomina- 

*  A  memorandum  found  among  Mr.  Eastbum's  papers,  fumiihet 
the  following  information : 

Robert  Eastburn  was  born  in  Old  England,  in  the  year  1710.  H* 
came  to  America  with  his  parents,  when  he  was  four  years  old.  He 
was  married  in  the  year  1733,  to  Agnes  Jones  of  Germantown.  She 
was  bom  in  the  year  1713. — Robert  Eastburn  died  Jan.  3Sd,  1778; 
his  wife,  Sept.  27th,  1784.  They  had  six  children — Sarah,  Hannah, 
Thomas,  Robert,  John,  and  Joseph.  Sarah  lived  to  the  age  of  83 
years,  and  died  in  Sept.  1818.  Hannah  died  in  1773.  Thomas  in 
1802.  Robert  in  1815.  John  in  1806. — We  here  add,  Joseph  died 
on  the  30th  of  January,  1828,— having  entered  his  80th  year  on  the 
11th  of  the  preceding  August. 


#  MEMOmS  OP  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 

tion,  and  continued  in  their  society  until  Mr.  Geoi^e 
-  Whitfield  first  came  to  America.  My  father  had  been 
under  serious  concern  about  his  soul  for  some  time  be- 
fore ;  but  could  get  no  relief,  until  hearing  him  preach. 
He  went,  as  he  said,  with  prejudice,  to  hear  a  young 
priest,  but  found  he  had  been  taught  of  the  Lord,  and 
could  tell  him  the  exercises  of  his  heart ;  and  his  heart 
was  now  opened  to  attend  to  the  preaching  of  the  gospel 
by  him,  and  this  was  the  means  of  his  spiritual  comfort — 
Mr.  Whitfield  used  to  call  him  his  first  fruit  in  America. 
My  mother,  being  of  a  meek  and  humble  temper,  and 
seriously  disposed,  and  being  also  benefited  by  his  preach- 
ing, left  the  Quakers  and  united  with  my  father  to  follow 
him ;  which  soon  brought  upon  them  severe  trials  from 
their  parents  and  tlieir  former  friends,  which  I  do  not 
.  ,  wish  to  enumerate.  Many  of  the  followers  of  Mr.  Whit- 
field united  together,  and  erected  a  large  building  for 
worship,  (now  ^^old  academy,)  and  by  his  advice  called 
^the  Rev.  Gilbert  Tennant  to  be  their  stated  minister,  and 
became  a  regular  congregation.  My  father  was  chosen 
deacon,  and  was  very  active  in  promoting  the  interest  of 
the  society,  and  in  attending  religious  meetings  in  many 
.  places  through  the  city. 

1  was  born,  according  to  the  date  in  my  father^s  Bible, 
on  the  eleventh  day  of  August,  1748,  in  Philadelphia,  the 
youngest  of  his  diildren;  and  experienced  the  tender 
care  of  my  kind  parents,  and  the  watchful  providence  of 
my  heavenly  Father.  When  an  infant  in  my  cradle,  a 
cat  had  nearly  drawn  out  my  breath,  when  she  was 
caught  by  my  father,  and  just  saved  my  life.  Wlieu  be- 
ginning to  walk,  1  had  followed  my  brother  to  the  river, 
and  fell  in  and  narrowly  escaped  being  drowned.  I  was 
early  put  to  school,  and  had  serious  impressions  on  my 
mind  when  young;  so  that  1  would  retire  from  school 
and  go  to  the  garret  of  the  house  alone  to  pray,  and  would 
weep  freely.  My  parents  iinding  me  at  times  soriou-;, 
and  like  to  make  a  scholar,  were  desirous  that  1  might 
have  an  education;  hoping  I  might  be  useful  to  my  fellow- 
men  in  the  work  of  tin;  ministry.  But  it  was  a  time  of 
war,  and  my  father  having  been  a  prisoner  among  the 
Indians,  brought  their  circumstances  too  low  to  atlbrd  me 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


6 


more  than  a  common  English  education.  At  fourteen 
years  of  age  I  was  put  apprentice  to  the  cabinet-maker^i 
business,  in  a  lai^e  shcp  of  seventeen  lads  and  young 
men — all  thoughtless  about  eternal  concerns,  and  making 
the  sabbath  a  day  of  idle  amusement.  I  was  tempted  to 
go  with  them  to  skate  on  the  Schuylkill ;  but  had  not 
gone  far  before  my  conscience  so  accused  me  of  doing 
wrong,  that  I  left  them,  ran  back,  hid  my  skates,  and 
went  to  meeting.  Thus  I  was  an  evidence  of  the  truth 
of  those  words,  ^  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should 
go,  and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not  depart  from  it^  I 
now  quieted  my  conscience,  and  thought,  by  my  regular 
conduct,  praying  in  secret,  and  shedding  a  few  tears  at 
times,  I  should  do  well  enough.  But  *•  evil  communica> 
tions  corrupt  good  manners.^  I  was  by  degrees  drawn 
into  vain  company.  I  had  committed  many  trifling,  jovial 
songs  to  memory,  and  having  something  of  a  turn  for 
singing,  I  was  often  pressed  to  sing  in  company.  I  found 
I  was  going  fast  to  ruin,  and  that  a  horrid  snare  was  laid 
for  my  destruction ;  but  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  pluck 
me  as  a  brand  from  the  burning,  and  through  his  blessed 
restraints  I  was  preserved  from  all  scandalous  outbreak- 
ing sins. 

"  I  was  now  awfully  alarmed  with  a  view  of  eternity 
and  the  danger  of  losing  my  soul,  which  determined  me 
to  leave  all  vain  company,  and  try  afresh  to  seek  salvar 
tion.  But  I  found  it  hard  to  gtand  their  solicitations, 
and  afterwards  their  persecution ;  for  they  would  come 
with  great  pretensions  of  friendship,  and  beg  I  would  not 
leave  them,  or  deprive  myself  of  all  the  happiness  of 
youthful  pleasure ;  for  Solomon,  they  told  me,  had  said, 
there  ^was  a  time  for  all  things*,^  and  the  time  to  be 
merry  certainly  was,  when  we  were  young ;  and  they 
said  I  eould  not  pretend  to  be  more  holy  than  David* 
and  he  danced.  My  reply  was,  that  we  had  been  merry, 
but  as  we  did  not  know  how  soon  death  might  call  us, 
as  he  did  many  as  young  as  we,  our  time  to  mourn  might 
soon  begin,  and  never  end ;  and  I  thought  it  high  time 
for  us  all  to  cry  for  mercy,  before  it  was  too  late.  What 
made  my  alarm  so  great  and  lasting  was,  the  views  I  now 
had  of  eternity,  from  one  of  Mr.  Davis 's  Sermons.   These 


r 


^' 


t 


C  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 

words  were  fixed  in  my  mind,  *Oh!  Eternity,  Eternity! 
how  will  this  awful  sound  echo  through  the  vaults  of 
hell  !* — It  was  upon  my  mind  day  and  night.  I  thought 
if  I  could  live  as  long  as  Methuselah,  and  be  in  as  much 
misery  as  it  was  possible  to  bear,  all  the  time,  I  would 
be  willing  to  bear  it,  if  I  could  have  hope  of  happiness 
afterward.  Finding  they  could  not  persuade  me  to  re- 
turn to  them,  they  turned  to  be  cruel  persecutors,  mock- 
ing and  treating  me  with  contempt :  and  if  they  found 
my  place  of  retirement,  they  would  be  sure  to  disturb 
me,  throwing  stones  where  they  only  suspected  I  might 
be.  For  a  long  time  I  used  to  rise  at  midnight,  when 
they  were  asleep,  and  spend  the  time  in  prayer  for  mercy. 
One  of  them  happening  to  hear  me,  was  so  much  affected, 
be  could  not  conceal  bis  cries ;  and  said,  if  I  was  afraid 
of  going  to  hell,  what  would  become  of  him  and  the  rest 
of  them.  From  f^at  time  he  ceased  his  opposition,  and 
became  my  friend  till  his  death.  But  I  had  severe  oppo- 
sition, from  A  man  in  the  shop,  who  had  made  a  profes- 
tion  and  turned  back,  and  afterwards  died  in  a  bad  way. 
**  I  had  at  this  time  no  religious  acquaintance,  for  my 
father  had  moved  from  the  city  to  Neshaminy.  I  attend* 
ed  worship  on  sabbath  days,  and  every  opportunity  I 
could  have,  with  great  care.  I  worked  hard,  and  was 
trying  to  gain  a  righteousness  of  my  own.  Having  done 
overwork  in  my  trade,  I  had  gained  a  day  clear,  which 
I  devoted  to  fasting  and  prayer  alone.  About  this  time 
I  received  a  letter  from  a  brother  in  New- York,  in  which 
he  informed  me  he  had  been  under  soul-concern  for  some 
short  time,  and  had  obtained  comfort.  I  thought  he  had 
not  been  so  long  nor  so  much  engaged  as  I  had  been,  and 
yet  I  had  not  the  least  comfort.  I  then  began  to  think 
the  Lord  dealt  hard  with  me,  and  I  was  displeased  with 
his  sovereient}'.  The  ninth  chapter  of  the  Romans  filled 
me  with  discouragement — that  it  was  '•  not  of  him  that 
willeth,  or  of  him  that  runneth,  but  of  God  that  showeth 
mercy.'  I  feared  I  was  not  elected,  and  therefore  would 
be  lost  afler  all.  I  went  to  the  Episcopal  Church,  and 
when  they  read  prayers  and  thanked  God  for  their  crea- 
tion, my  heart  replied,  I  do  not}  for  I  wished  I  had  never 
been  bom,  and  ohen  wished  I  was  a  brute,  a  stock,  or  a 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN.  7 

stone,  rather  than  an  accountable  creature.  I  envied  the 
\little  birds  their  happiness.  I  found  fault  with  the  impu- 
\tation  of  Adam^s  sin,  and  that  through  his  fall  we  were 
rendered  helpless  and  yet  condemned.  My  wicked  heart 
rose  in  horrid  rebellion,  and  would  wish  there  was  no 
power  that  could  punish  me  in  hell  for  ever.  I  continued 
a  long  time  in  this  awful  state  of  mind,  and  found  truly 
that  *  the  carnal  mind  is  indeed  enmity  against  God.*  I 
thought  I  had  the  very  spirit  of  Satan,  and  began  to  won- 
der  that  the  Lord  did  not  strike  me  dead,  and  fix  my 
place  among  the  fiends  in  hell,  for  my  dreadful  rebellion 
against  his  awful  majesty.  And  I  did  expect  that  must 
be  the  case  at  last,  for  I  thought  so  vile  a  creature  as  I 
saw  myself  to  be,  could  never  be  admitted  into  his  pres- 
ence ;  and  often  have  1  feared  to  close  my  eyes  in  sleep, 
fearing  I  should  awake  in  torment. 

*^ About  this  time  my  father  returned  to  the  city;  but  I 
could  not  lor  a  long  time  open  my  mind  to  him ;  but  he, 
observing  my  distressed  countenance,  insisted  upon  know- 
ing what  was  my  trouble.    I  then  made  it  known  to  him, 
and  he  did  all  he  could  to  encourage  me.     He  took  me 
to  see  pious  ministers ;  a  Mr.  Strain  was  often  in  town  at 
that  time,  to  whom  I  made  my  case  known.    He  gave 
the  advice  Paul  gave  to  the  jailer,  and  pressed  me  to  be* 
lieve  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  immediately ;  warning  me 
against  false  resting-places,  and  insisted  upon  it  I  was 
now  doing  so,  and  said  while  I  hoped  to  be  saved  in  any 
other  way  but  through  Jesus,  I  was  practically  calling 
God  a  liar,  who  declared  there  was  no  other  way.   That 
evening  a  strange  minister  preached  upon  the  sin  of  un- 
belief.    I  determined  then  that  I  would  never  close  my 
eyes  in  sleep  again,  until  1  had  made  the  attempt;  and  I 
spent  the  night  in  a  solitary  place  alone,  trying  to  realize 
my  need  of  a  Saviour,  as  a  guilty,  polluted,  lost  sinner ; 
and  then  thinking  of  the  offices,  fulness,  and  invitations 
of  the  Saviour — ^trying  to  give  up  myself  to  him,  and  pray- 
ing to  be  accepted  by  him,  but  I  could  find  no  relief.    I 
thought  1  could  as  easily  clasp  the  moon  with  my  hands, 
which  was  then  shining  over  my  head,  as  I  could  believe 
so  as  to  obtain  comfort  to  my  soul ;  not  realizing  that 
faith  was  the  gift  of  God.    I  wondered  that  ministert 

B 


8 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


.  t 


! 


^'■- 


would  press  people  to  do  what  was  impossible ;  or  thought 
that  I  was  not  like  any  one  else,  for  I  could  not  believe. 
Here  my  carnal  heart  again  began  to  find  iault,  that  I  was 
required  to  do  what  I  could  not;  and  therefore  must  bfe 
lost  and  could  not  help  it.  But  my  rebellious  murmuring 
was  silenced  with  a  thought  of  who  it  was  I  was  thus 
censuring ;  and  I  began  to  wonder  he  did  not  strike  me 
dead,  and  send  me  to  dwell  among  the  wicked  spirits  in 
hell,  which  I  often  thought  must  finally  be  my  place. 
But  now  that  passage  in  the  9th  of  Romans  came  again 
to  my  mind,  in  quite  a  different  way  from  what  I  took  it 
up  before — *'  It  is  not  of  him  that  willeth,  nor  of  him 
that  runneth,  but  of  God  that  showeth  mercy,'  was 
now  my  only  encouragement.  For  if  it  was  for  any 
goodness  or  merit  in  the  creature,  I  of  all  mankind  must, 
it  seemed  to  me,  for  ever  despair ;  for  I  could  deserve 
no  favor  from  the  Lord.  But  if  he  did  it  for  his  own 
mercy's  sake,  who  could  tell  but  I  might  yet  experience 
his  power  to  save  me  ?  and  therefore  I  again  resolved  I 
would  try  to  wait  in  the  use  of  means,  and  not  give  over 
until  he  might  please  to  reveal  the  way  of  salvation  to 
me,  a  lost  creature. 

"  I  now  took  much  care  to  get  spiritual  instruction,  tried 
to  remember  the  sermons  I  heard,  wrote  down  the  texts, 
and  what  I  could  retain  of  them ;  but  still  found  myself 
awfully  stupid,  and  felt  all  to  be  a  task  and  burdensome; 
yet  I  thought  I  must  wait  until  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
would  come  powerfully,  and  then  would  be  my  time  to 
strive.  My  apprenticeship  was  now  expiring,  and  the 
man  with  whom  I  learned  my  trade,  through  improper 
conduct,  had  become  bankrupt.  I  had  a  new  place  to 
seek,  and  the  kind  notice  of  Providence  surprised  me. 
I  had  friends  raised  up  beyond  my  expectation.  My  mas- 
ter's brother  presented  me  with  a  complete  good  suit  of 
clothes ;  a  place  was  provided  for  me  to  earn  my  living; 
I  was  favored  with  health  and  plenty  of  business,  and 
could  work  well.  I  wondered  that  the  Lord  should  re- 
gard my  mean  concerns,  and  show  me  any  favor ;  and 
as  he  had  taken  care  of  my  temporal  concerns,  I  thought 
it  was  an  encouragement  for  me  to  cast  my  soul's  con- 
cerns upon  him.  But  my  wicked  unbelieving  heart  would 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURJJ. 


9 


not  go  to  that  kind  and  gracious  Father,  who  was  mani- 
festing his  tender  pity  for  such  a  poor  wretch  as  I  was. 
Instead  of  this,  my  unbelief  still  increased,  and  the  abom- 
inable corruptions  of  my  vile,  sinful  nature,  seemed  as  if 
they  would  overpower  all  my  resolutions  to  do  any  thing 
that  was  good.  I  confined  myself  to  attend  on  the  means 
of  grace  in  public,  and  also  attended  society  meetings, 
but  found  no  pleasure  in  them ;  but  awful  hardness  of 
heart,  and  vile  thoughts,  would  continually  possess  me. 
I  thought  there  never  was  so  hardened  and  yet  stupid 
creature,  as  1  was,  which  made  me  conclude  the  Lord 
had  given  me  up ;  tliat  I  had  so  grieved  the  Holy  Spirit 
that  he  would  no  longer  strive  with  me ;  and  that  I  had 
sinned  the  unpardonable  sin,  and  there  could  be  no  mercy 
for  me.  Now  I  ceased  to  pray,  for  I  believed  that  the 
Lord  would  strike  me  dead,  if  I  dared  to  call  upon  him. 
I  therefore  looked  for  his  judgments  to  follow  me ;  and 
hardly  dared  to  close  my  eyes  in  sleep,  fearing  I  should 
awake  in  hell.  I  would  dream  I  was  there  blaspheming, 
and  awdke  in  horror,  but  dared  not  ask  to  be  saved  from 
it :  and  now,  as  I  feared  I  should  become  a  scandal  to 
my  parents  and  family,  I  resolved  to  keep  alone,  or  to  go 
to  places  of  worship  only  to  keep  out  of  the  way  of  tempt- 
ation ;  not  daring  to  hope  ever  to  have  a  word  of  encour- 
agement spoken  to  me  again.  But  I  worked  hard  at  my 
trade,  to  divert  my  mind,  which  I  found  was  my  best 
way.  I  said  little  to  any  one,  and  told  no  one  of  my  dis- 
mal fears  and  horrors.  I  did  once  ask  my  father  what 
he  believed  the  unpardonable  sin  to  be,  without  telling 
him  my  apprehension  of  my  having  committed  it ;  an^ 
his  explanation  seemed  to  confirm  my  belief  that  it  was 
really  my  case.  I  still  went  to  places  of  worship,  and 
when  any  encouragement  was  presented  to  distressed 
souls,  I  would  think — there  now,  I  might  have  some  re- 
lief, if  I  had  not  sinned  that  sin,  which  is  unto  death,  and 
cannot  be  forgiven.  But  one  sabbath  evening,  going  to 
the  Baptist  meeting,  a  stranger  of  the  name  of  Sutton 
preached,  and  remarked  that  some  were  tempted  to  be- 
lieve that  they  had  sinned  the  unpardonable  sin,  and  were 
greatly  distressed  about  it ;  which  he  declared  was  an 
evidence  that  it  was  not  their  case,  or  they  would  be 


r 


I 


10 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


hardened  and  careless.  This  coming  from  one  who  I 
believed  knew  nothing  ahout  me,  I  did  believe  the  Lord 
had  directed  it  for  me,  and  it  greatly  relieved  my  mind. 
I  then  resolved  I  would  again  betake  myself  to  prayer, 
and  if  I  perished,  it  should  be  at  the  throne  of  grace  with 
the  publican,  crying  as  he  did  for  mercy,  and  I  was  ena- 
bled to  continue  so  to  do,  until  at  last,  when  just  sinking, 
I  was  relieved ;  which  was  in  the  following  way : 

"  I  frequently  had  a  word  of  encouragement  in  sermons 
from  my  precious  friend  Dr.  Sproat,  and  from  dear  Mr. 
Robert  Smith  of  Pequea,  who  pointed  out  my  convictions 
to  be  those  of  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  which  were  com- 
monly followed  with  manifestations  of  divine  favor :  also 
from  several  pious  people,  with  whom  I  had  now  become 
acquainted,  who  were  much  interested  in  my  case,  and 
were,  I  believe,  much  engaged  in  prayer  for  me.  But 
still  my  mind  was  overpowered  with  unbelief,  until  one 
sabbath  mornipg,  about  the  break  of  day.  1  was  then 
thinking  about  mv  miserable  state  of  soul — ^guilty,  filthy, 
wretched,  and  helpless,  and  that  a  Saviour  was  appointed, 
and  Jesus  was  inviting  me  to  come  to  him,  and  if  I  did, 
I  should  obtain  relief.  I  found  the  hindrance  was  in  my- 
self, and  that  none  but  the  Lord  could  remove  it.  I  then 
fell  on  my  knees,  crying  to  him  to  undertake  for  me.  I 
tried  to  present  all  my  wants  to  him,  and  besought  him 
that  whatever  it  was  that  hindered  my  closing  with  Jesus, 
he  would  remove  it  out  of  the  way ;  and  that  he  would 
be  pleased  to  work  tnie  faith  in  me,  that  I  might  believe. 
And  while  I  was  thus  pouring  out  my  heart  to  the  Lord 
for  his  grace,  that  blessed  counsel  of  the  precious  Saviour 
was  powerfully  impressed  on  my  mind,  contained  in  the 
third  chapter  of  tiie  Revelations  and  18th  verse — 'I 
counsel  thee  to  buy  of  me  gold  tried  in  the  fire  that  thou 
mayest  be  rich,  and  white  raiment  that  thou  mayest  be 
clothed,  and  that  the  shame  of  thy  nakedness  do  not  ap- 
pear; and  anoint  thine  eyes  with  eye-salve  that  thou 
mayest  see.'  Now  a  perfect  suitableness  appeared  in 
this  blessed  provision  to  answer  all  my  wants ;  for  I  knew 
I  was  truly  poor,  and  deep  in  debt  to  divine  justice,  and 
had  nothing  of  my  own  to  pay.  But  the  white  raiment 
was  what  I  stood  in  particular  need  of,  for  I  had  often 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBVRN. 


11 


been  filled  with  horror  at  the  tliought  of  appearing  a 
guilty,  vile,  filthy  spirit,  before  the  bar  of  a  holy  and  just 
God ;  but  if  arrayed  in  this  glorious  white  raiment  I  might 
appear  there  to  divine  acceptance,  and  all  my  filthy  gar- 
ments be  cast  away.  The  enlightening  of  the  mind  with 
this  eye-salve  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  was  what  I  was  likewise 
deeply  sensible  I  greatly  needed ;  so  that  before  I  was 
aware  of  a  change  in  my  mind,  my  soul  cried  out — O 
Lord !  I  accept  this  gracious  counsel,  and  do  bless  thee 
for  it.  My  heart  was  filled  with  comfort,  and  I  could 
now  call  the  Lord  my  dear  father,  and  felt  my  very  soul 
going  out  to  him  in  love,  wrhom  before  I  had  so  much 
dreaded  as  my  awful  judge.  I  know  not  that  any  crea- 
ture heard  me,  in  all  or  any  of  my  private  exercises,  or 
how  long  I  continued  in  this ;  but  when  I  came  down  to 
my  father's  family,  with  whom  I  then  boarded,  my  father 
saw  such  a  change  in  my  countenance,  that  he  directiv 
desired  me  to  lead  in  family  worship,  which  I  felt  a  will- 
ingness to  do.  But  I  did  not  mention  any  thine  to  any 
one  of  my  joy,  but  went  to  meeting  with  great  pleasure ; 
when  Mr.  Caldwell,  from  Elizabethtown,  preached  from 
the  73d  Psalm,  first  part  of  the  28th  verse — *  But  it  is 
good  for  me  to  draw  nigh  to  God.^  He  showed  that  no 
one  could  draw  nigh  to  God,  in  the  sense  of  that  text, 
without  having  experienced  a  change  of  heart,  and  a  true 
heart-love  to  him ;  and  then  described  how  the  soul  was 
delighted  with  a  sense  of  his  gracious  presence  and  fath- 
erly love ;  and  how  it  could  call  him  my  Father,  I  was 
fully  satisfied  that  such  had  been  the  exercise  of  my  soul 
that  happy  morning,  and  therefore  did  relate  to  my  father 
what  had  passed  in  my  mind.  He  then  went  with  me  to 
see  Mr.  Sproat,  and  desired  me  to  relate  the  same  to  him, 
which  I  did,  at  their  request.  He  inquired  if  I  thought 
the  Lord  had  shown  me  this  favor  for  any  goodness  of 
my  own ;  which  I  protested  I  did  not,  but  only  of  his 
pure,  undeserved  mercy.  He  then  encouraged  me  to 
believe  it  was  a  work  of  divine  grace,  and  now  invited 
me  to  join  in  the  communion  of  the  church,  which  I 
never  dared  to  do  before,  although  often  desired  to  do  it. 
**  But  mv  first  comfort  was  of  short  duration.  I  soon 
began  to  fear  1  was  deceiving  myself  with  false  hopes; 
^  B2 


12  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 

and  that  it  had  been  but  a  mere  imagination  of  my  own. 
Here  I  was  much  cast  down,  and  feared  I  never  should 
have  a  soUd  hope :  and  the  loss  of  that  comfort  I  bad 
enjoyed  for  the  short  time  I  felt  it,  left  upon  me  for  a  few 
days  a  most  distressing  sensation.  I  told  my  friends  my 
distress,  but  could  find  no  relief.  I  tried  to  pray  that  the 
Lord  would  satis/y  me  whether  it  was  his  work  or  not ; 
and  the  cry  of  my  heart  was  constantly  through  the  day — 

0  for  faith  !  O  for  faith !  when  I  did  again  experience  a 
sweet  confirmation  that  it  was  the  Lord's  work,  and  that 
he  would  bless  me ;  and  from  time  to  time  I  had  similar 
changes.  I  was  very  attentive  to  secret  duty,  and  rose 
every  morning  before  day,  to  read  and  pray  alone,  before 

1  went  to  my  work.  At  this  time  the  Methodists  came, 
and  held  worship  before  day,  and  in  the  evening.  I  often 
attended  both  seasons,  and  was  pleased  to  have  so  many 
opportunities.  But  one  evening  the  minister  spoke  against 
the  doctrine  o^  the  saints'  perseverance,  from  those  words 
in  the  10th  chapter  of  1st  Corinthians,  4th  and  5th  verses, 
*And  did  all  drink  the  same  spiritual  drink,  for  they  drank 
of  that  spiritual  rock  that  followed  them,  and  that  rock 
was  Christ:  but  with  many  of  them  God  was  not  well 
pleased,  for  they  were  overthrown  in  the  wilderness.' 
From  which  he  undertook  to  prove,  that  a  person  might 
be  united  to  the  Saviour  and  partake  of  his  grace,  and 
yet  after  this  finally  fall  away.  I  thpught  there  appeared 
great  reason  from  his  text,  and  what  he  said  upon  it,  to 
fear  it  might  be  so ;  and  therefore  I  was  greatly  discour- 
aged, for  1  knew  what  a  poor  helpless  creature  I  was, 
and  my  enemies  were  too  powerful  for  me  to  withstand, 
if  left  to  myself.  I  lodged  at  my  father's,  and  went  home 
distressed;  his  family  Bible  was  on  the  table;  I  imme* 
diately  opened  it,  and  the  first  passage  1  saw  was  the 
eighth  chapter  of  Paul's  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  at  the 
9th  verse — '  Not  according  to  the  covenant  that  I  made 
with  their  fathers,  in  the  day  when  I  took  them  by  the 
hand  to  lead  them  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt,  because  they 
continued  not  in  my  covenant,  and  I  regarded  them  not, 
saith  the  Lord :  For  this  is  the  covenant  that  I  will  make 
with  the  house  of  Israel,  after  those  days,  saith  the  Lord; 
I  will  put  my  laws  into  their  mind,  and  write  them  in 


MEMOmS  OF  THS  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBVRN. 


IS 


their  hearts,  and  I  will  he  to  them  a  God,  and  they  shall 
he  to  me  a  people.*  Here  I  stopped  with  joy,  and  was 
filled  with  deliffiht  in  that  hlessed  covenant,  well  ordered 
in  all  things  and  sure.  I  saw  that  the  Lord  not  only  en- 
gaged to  be  all  in  all  to  his  people,  but  resolved  that  they 
should  be  his  people,  and  that  he  would  accomplish  his 
work  in  them,  and  bring  them  through.  This  1  believe 
is  the  sealing  of  the  holv  Spirit  of  promise ;  and  now  my 
mind  felt  such  a  confidence  in  the  unchanging  love  of 
God  through  Jesus  Christ,  in  whom  the  promises  are  all 
*  yea  and  amen,*  that  I  thought  if  all  the  ministers  in  the 
world  would  unite  in  speaking  against  the  perseverance 
of  those  who  are  united  to  Jesus,  they  could  not  shake 
my  comfortable  hope.  I  now  no  longer  depended  upon 
my  frames  and  feehng  for  my  hope  of  eternal  happiness, 
Dut  upon  the  unchangeable  covenant  of  grace,  wnerein 
the  Lord  has  promised  never  to  leave  nor  forsak«  his 
people,  and  that  he  will  put  his  fear  in  their  hearts,  and 
they  shall  not  depart  from  him ;  that  sin  shall  not  have 
dominion  over  them,*  being  *  not  under  the  law  but  under 
grace;*  and  that  where  the  Lord  begins  a  good  work,  he 
wiH  carry  it  on  to  perfection.  Now  for  a  long  time  1  went 
on  my  way  rejoicing,  and  was  encouraged  to  unite  with 
others  in  religious  societies,  and  began  one  weekly  in  my 
fatheF*s  house,  led  in  prayer,  and  read  sermons  to  the 
people,  who  filled  the  house  every  time.  And  when  I  could 
get  ministers  to  come,  I  did,  and  was  much  encouraged  to 
go  on.  Mr.  Robert  Smith,  the  minister  at  Pequea,  who 
kept  a  grammar  school,  and  was  earnestly  engaged  to 
promote  the  cause  of  his  blessed  Master,  sent  me  an  in- 
vitation to  come  to  his  institution ;  promising  to  assist  me 
in  every  way  to  obtain  a  classical  education.  I  did  earn- 
estly entreat  the  Lord  to  direct  me,  and  having  a  desire 
to  be  useful  to  my  fellow-mortals,  and  hoping  this  was  an 
opening,  and  the  way  to  be  more  so  than  in  private  life, 
I  immediately  gave  up  my  business  and  went  Now  1 
thought  no  exertions  could  be  too  great  to  accomplish 
this  object,  and  did  study  night  and  day,  until  I  became 
so  unwell  Ihat  the  most  noted  physician  we  had  told  me, 
if  I  did  not  quit  my  studies,  and  go  to  active  business 
again,  I  would  soon  die.     This  was  like  a  dagger  to  my 


14 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


heart;  but  I  had  good  reason  to  believe  it  was  so;  and 
therefore  had  to  give  up,  and  attend  to  my  business  again; 
and  now  concluded  1  would  attend  rehgious  societies,  and 
do  all  I  could  in  a  private  way/^ 

Here  Mr.  Eastbum's  narrative  ends  abruptly.  He 
probably  intended  to  continue  it,  but  for  some  reason, 
which  cannot  now  be  discovered,  did  not  execute  his 
purpose.  His  subsequent  life,  however,  was  so  fully 
known  to  some  still  living,  and  for  the  greater  part  of 
the  time,  to  the  writer  of  this  memoir,  that  there  is  no 
lack  of  the  information  necessary  for  continuing  his  bi- 
ography. 


'* 


CHAPTER  II. 


Remarks  on  Mr,  Eastburn^s  narrative — his  marriage  and 
the  character  of  his  wife- — his  exile  from  and  return  to 
Philadelphia — his  hearing  arms — his  son — is  refused  to 
be  taken  on  trials  for  the  gospel  ministry  ^  by  tlu  Synod 
of  New'York  and  Philadelphia — his  rebaptization. 

The  germs  of  future  character  are  often  distinctly  seen 
in  early  life :  and  a  careful  consideration  of  the  narrative 
before  us  will,  it  is  believed,  disclose  the  elements  of 
those  habits  of  feeling,  thought,  and  action,  by  which  its 
author  was  distinguished  in  his  maturer  years. 

It  is  his  own  remark,  that  he  was  an  example  of  the 
inspired  declaration  of  Solomon,  "  Train  up  a  child  in 
the  way  he  should  go,  and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not 
depart  from  it."  But  for  that  sensibility  of  conscience, 
and  knowledge  of  his  duty,  which  he  derived  from  the 
pious  instructions  and  admonitions  of  his  parents,  there 
IS  no  probability  that  he  would  have  torn  himself  from 
his  thoughtless  companions,  when  going  to  the  Schuylkill 
to  profane  the  sabbath  by  skating  on  the  ice,  and  have 
hastened  back  to  attend  a  place  of  public  worship.  It 
is  the  want  of  such  parental  teaching  and  good  example 
as  he  enjoyed,  which  is  the  radical  cause  that  our  cities 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


16 


now  abound  with  crowds  of  noisy  boys  and  thoughtless 
youth,  who  desecrate  the  day  of  sacred  rest,  and  even 
disturb,  in  their  own  dwellings,  the  exercises  of  those 
who  wish  ^*to  keep  holv  the  sabbath  day."  To  this 
cause  indeed — ^to  the  neglect  of  parental  duty — ^may  be 
traced  that  shocking  violation  of  the  fourth  command 
of  the  decalogue,  which  prevails  throughout  our  country, 
and  which  threatens  to  bring  down  upon  it  the  just  judg- 
ments of  Heaven.  If  heads  of  families,  in  general,  were 
as  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty  as  the  parents 
of  young  Eastbum  appear  to  have  been,  many,  Uke  him, 
would  not  only  abstain  from  ail  open  vicious  practices, 
but,  like  him,  would  also  feel  the  influence  of  that  fear 
of  God,  which  might  lead  to  the  diligent  use  of  all  the 
means  of  grace;  and  eventually,  under  the  Divine  bless- 
ing, to  genuine  and  eminent  piety. 

In  the  vivid  and  impressive  views  which  the  subject 
of  this  memoir  had  of  his  guilt  and  misery,  and  of  his  ex- 
posure to  the  curse  of  the  broken  l^w  of  God,  in  his  UQ- 
converted  state,  connected,  as  thev  were,  with  his  awful 
apprehensions  of  the  eternity  of  future  punishment,  we 
may  doubtless  find  the  origin  of  that  earnest  desire, 
which  never  forsook  him,  to  be  instrumental  in  plucking 
sinners  as  brands  from  the  burning.  He  could  not  con- 
template their  fearful  situation,  without  most  anxiously 
wishing  to  convince  them  of  it,  and  to  engage  them,  u 
possible,  to  flee  from  **  the  wrath  to  come."  He  was 
habitually  and  deeply  sensible  that  an  effectual  care  for 
the  soul,  is  emphancally  ^^  the  one  thing  needful ;"  and 
to  do  something — to  do  every  thing  in  his  power — ^to 
promote  the  salvation  of  souls,  he  felt  to  be  an  obligation 
from  which  he  could  never  be  released. 

In  the  long  and  sore  conflicts  which  this  good  man  ex- 

Eerienced,  and  the  variety  of  exercises  through  which 
e  passed,  before  he  was  comfortably  established  in  the 
hope  of  the  gospel,  we  may  perceive  the  source  of  that 
lively  sympathy  which  he  always  manifested  with  per- 
sons in  mental  distress,  and  inquiring  what  they  should 
do  to  be  saved;  and  of  the  peculiar  qualifications  which 
all  who  knew  him  admitted  that  he  possessed,  for  in- 
structing, counselling,  and  praying  with  individuals^  who 


^m  BIEMOmS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURI7. 

had  been  brouglit  into  this  interesting  situation.  Me 
**  remembered  his  own  affliction  and  misery — the  worm- 
vrood  and  the  gall  ;^^  he  had  been  carried  to  the  borders 
of  despair,  or  rather,  for  a  season,  he  seems  to  have 
passed  those  borders;  and  he  had  found,  at  last,  a  happy 
and  complete  deliverance.  Hence  his  interested  feehngs 
for  those  who  were  experiencing,  in  any  degree,  the 
views  and  apprehensions  of  which  he  had  known  so 
much;  and  hence  too  his  ability  to  give  them  advice, 
and  to  assist  their  labouring  minds.  They  could  scarcely 
speak  of  a  fear  or  a  discouragement,  which  he  had  not 
experimentally  known.  He  had  passed  over  the  whole 
thorny  path  in  which  he  found  them  travelling;  he  knew 
every  inch  of  the  ground,  and  every  danger  with  which 
it  was  filled.  He  could  make  out,  in  his  own  case,  a 
situation  more  deplorable  than  that  of  the  most  of  those 
with  whom  he  conversed;  and,  while  he  warned  them 
faithfully  of  ^very  false  resting-place,  he  could  guard 
them  against  utter  despondency,  and  invite  them  to  an 
immediate  application  to  that  precious  Saviour,  of  whose 
readiness  to  receive  the  very  chief  of  broken-hearted 
and  believing  sinners,  he  considered  himself  as  a  striking 
and  memorable  example.  It  appears  that  the  apostle 
Paul  often  appealed  to  his  own  experience;  and  there  is 
reason  to  believe  that  this  was  also  frequently  done  by 
him  whose  narrative  is  before  the  reader.  With  the 
holv  scriptures  his  familiarity  was  eminently  great,  and 
scriptural  examples  and  scriptural  doctrine  were  always 
the  authorities,  and  the  only  ultimate  authorities,  on 
which  he  relied.  Through  the  whole  period  of  his  pro- 
tracted spiritual  conflict,  it  appears  that  Mr.  Eastburn 
diligently  employed  himself  in  his  lawful  calling,  and 
that  when  his  distress  was  the  greatest  of  all,  he  sought 
in  **  working  hard  at  his  trade^^  for  the  mitigation  of  his 
misery.  This  advice  he  was  doubtless  prepared  to  give 
to  others.  He  was  no  friend  to  the  neglect  of  relative 
duties,  or  any  of  the  ordinary  concerns  of  life,  because 
the  mind  was  deeply  engaged  on  the  subject  of  religion ; 
and  he  was  one  of  the  best  and  safest  advisers,  for  those 
whose  mental  exercises  were  mixed  with  morbid  melan- 
choly. 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN, 


17 


The  doctrines  from  which  an  individual  first  derives 
relief  and  comfort,  after  having  .jflfrred  from  gloomy 
forebodings  in  re^rd  to  his  eternal  destiny,  he  is  usually 
disposed  to  chensh  fondly,  and  maintain  siedf^istly,  in 
subsequent  life.  This  was  remarkably  verified  in  the 
subject  of  the  present  menM>ir.  The  all-sufficiency  of 
Christ;  his  obedience  and  atonement,  i^s  constituting  • 
righteousness,  the  imputation  of  which  is  the  sole  ground 
of  the  sinner^s  pardon,  justification  and  acceptance  with 
God;  the  necessity  of  the  Holy  Spirit^s  influence,  to  re- 
new and  sanctify  the  heart;  faith,  in  the  strictest  sense, 
the  gift  of  God ;  the  union  of  the  justified  sinner  with  hit 
Saviour  indissc^uble,  and  perseverance  in  grace  the  cer- 
tain consequence;  resting  on  the  covenant  of  grace,  in 
which  every  true  believer  is  interested,  and  not  on  fluc- 
tuating frames  and  feelings,  as  the  foundation  of  hope 
and  confidence  toward  God. — Of  these  doctrines  the 
outlines  are  conspicuous  in  the  narrative  of  Mr.  East- 
burn;  and  of  these  he  was  tenacious  to  the  end  of  his 
days.  He  nevertheless  cherished  a  sincere  afiection  for 
many  who  differed  from  him  in  r^ard  to  some  of  these 
doctrines,  and  could  maintain  a  cordial  Christian  fellow- 
ship with  them;  provided  he  discerned  in  them  a  real 
love  of  holiness,  a  true  reliance  on  the  Saviour,  and  a 
devoted  attachment  to  his  cause.  He  was  a  strict  Cal- 
vinist,  of  the  old  school,  in  his  own  creed ;  and  could, 
for  himself,  not  derive  comfort  from  other  views  of  Chris- 
tian doctrine  than  those  which  that  creed  presents.  But 
the  peculiarities  of  the  system  he  did  not  reckon  among 
the  essentials  of  religion ;  and  he  held  his  own  opinions 
so  meekly,  that  he  was,  in  a  remarkable  degree,  accept- 
able, in  his  visits  and  ministrations,  among  several  Chris- 
tian denominations,  whose  doctrinal  tenets  differed  con- 
siderably from  his  own. 

It  appears  from  his  narrative,  that  his  parents  early 
entertained  the  idea  of  his  being  educated  for  the  gospel 
ministry ;  and  that  after  his  conversion,  he,  for  a  time, 
left  his  mechanical  occupation,  and  applied  to  study, 
with  the  hope  of  being  regularly  introduced  into  the  sa> 
cred  office.  Although  disappointed  in  this,  it  is  probable 
we  may  here  discern  the  beginning  of  that  desire  to  bear 


n 


H  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EA8TBURN.  ' 

the  messages  of  salvation  to  perishing  sinners,  which 
could  never  be  extinguished.  This  desire  was  no  doubt 
greatly  increased  in  its  intensity,  by  those  circumstances 
and  considerations  to  which  we  have  already  adverted. 
So  intense  it  certainly  was,  Uiat  he  sought  its  gratifica- 
tion, in  opposition  to  discouragements  and  disappoint- 
ments neither  fe.w  nor  of  short  duration;  till  at  length, 
after  he  had  passed  the  meridian  of  life,  he  was  authorized 
to  use  his  gifts,  in  exactly  that  form  which  was  most  de- 
sirable to  himself. 

The  foregoing  remarks  seemed  to  the  writer  to  be 
naturally  su^ested,  on  a  careful  examination  of  Mr. 
Eastbum^s  narrative ;  and  to  be  worthy  of  attention  on 
their  own  account :  at  the  same  time,  they  will  enable 
the  reader  more  clearly  to  understand  a  number  of  oc- 
currences, which  will  be  noticed  in  the  sequel  of  these 
memoirs. 

After  Mr.  E.  returned  to  his  business,  as  a  cabinet- 
maker, nothing  worthy  of  record  seems  to  have  occurred ; 
except  that  he  labored  v^tb  his  usual  activity  and  dili- 
gence, and  attended  meetings  for  prayer  and  religious 
conference,  as  oflen  as  opportunities  offered,  for  about 
the  space  of  two  years. — He  then  entered  into  the  mar- 
riage relation.  Among  his  papers  the  following  certifi- 
cate was  found — 

* 

"This  may  certify,  to  all  persons  whom  it  may  con- 
cern, that  Joseph  Eastburn  and  Ann  Owen,  both  of  the 
city  of  Philadelphia,  were  lawfully  married  on  the  12th 
day  of  June,  Anno  Domini,  1771. 

Per  me,  James  Sproutt, 

Minister  of  the  Gospel." 

The  woman  whom  Mr.  E.  selected  for  a  wife,  v;as  as 
much  noted  for  industry  as  himself.  Hers  was  exercised 
in  a  branch  of  the  tailor^s  business,  which  she  had  learn- 
ed, and  in  which  she  had  become  expert.  She  possessed 
higher  intellectual  powers,  and  was  more  improved  by 
reading  than  her  husband.  But  her  best  distinction  was 
her  eminent  piety.  She  had,  with  this,  much  good  sense 
and  discretion,  in  connexion  with  an  amiable  temper  and 
an  engaging  demeanor.    Hence  her  company  and  coa- 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


It 


versation  were  truly  attractive ;  and  the  singular  neat- 
ness and  order  of  her  dwelling  were  the  admiration  of 
all  her  visitants.  Religion  was  her  favorite  topic  of  dis- 
course. But  she  never  introduced  it  unseasonably,  os- 
tentatiously, or  offensively.  She  suffered  conversation 
to  take  its  natural  course,  and  joined  in  it  with  cheerful- 
ness, and  sometimes  with  pleasafitry,  till  a  fit  opportunity 
presented  to  give  it  a  serious  cast,  or  to  drop  some  pious 
remark  which  she  hoped  might  be  useful.  During  the 
latter  part  of  her  life,  she  was  a  habitual  invalid,  and 
found  it  necessary  to  confine  herself  to  her  apartment 
through  the  whole  inclement  season  of  the  year.  Yet 
she  was  habitually  cheerful,  bearing  her  infirmities  with 
little  complaint  and  with  exemplary  fortitude.  Her 
maladies  were  connected  with  a  pulmonaiy  aflection, 
which  at  length  carried  her  to  the  grave.  But,  for  her, 
the  grave  had  no  terrors.  She  approached  it  not  only 
without  fear,  but  with  serenity  and  a  desire  to  depart. 
Her  patience,  tenderness  of  conscience,  Christian  resig-  ^ 
nation,  and  unwavering  hope  of  heaven,  through  a  long 
confinement,  were  or  the  most  edifying  kind.  She  was 
doubtful  of  the  propriety  of  taking  laudanum  to  mitigate 
her  cough  and  restlessness ;  nor  would  she  consent  to  its 
use,  till  she  had  very  seriously  consulted  the  present 
writer  on  the  lawfuFhess  of  such  a  remedy. — This  tribute 
to  her  memory  it  had  been  unjust  to  withhold.  The  pe- 
riod of  her  dissolution  will  be  noticed  in  its  proper  place. 

After  what  has  been  said,  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to 
add,  that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eastburn  were  happy  in  their 
union.  For  a  number  of  years  subsequent  to  their  mar- 
riage, they  had  no  house  of  their  own,  nor  the  undivided 
occupancy  of  one  upon  rent.  They  lived  in  a  single 
room  furnished  by  themselves,  in  a  family  that  owned  or 
had  rented  the  dwelling  in  which  they  resided.  This 
was  their  manner  of  life,  during  their  residence  in  the 
city,  till  after  the  war  of  the  American  revolution ;  and 
from  the  labour  of  their  hands,  in  their  several  occupa- 
tions, they  derived  the  means  of  a  very  comfortable 
support. 

Mr.  Eastburn  performed  two  or  three  tours  of  military 
duty,  in  the  revolutionary  war ;  he  was  in  the  field  at 

C 


20 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


r£ 


I 


the  memorable  battle  of  Princeton,  Jan.  3d,  1777,  on 
which  the  success  of  our  struggle  for  independence 
seemed  to  be  suspended.  He  however  accounted  it  a 
merciful  providence,  in  his  after  life,  although  never  in 
principle  opposed  to  defensive  warfare,  that  he  had,  in 
no  instance,  been  instrumental  in  taking  away  human 
life.  On  one  occasion  the  corps  in  which  he  bore  arms 
was  commanded  to  fire  on  the  enemy,  but  was  instantly 
countermanded,  and  ^\d  not  fire — nor  on  any  other  oc- 
casion was  he  called  to  discharge  his  musket  on  an  op- 
posing foe.  On  the  approach  of  the  British  army  to 
Philadelphia,  in  September,  1777,  many  of  the  citizens, 
who  had  been  ardently  attached  to  the  American  cause, 
fled  into  the  adjacent  country.  That  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Eastburn  were  among  the  fugitives  there  is  no  reason  to 
doubt;  but  the  place  of  their  residence,  during  their 
exile,  if  ever  known  to  the  writer,  is  not  now  in  his 
recollection.  ,Before  the  close  of  the  summer  of  1 778, 
the  British  troops  had  evacuated  the  city,  the  citizens 
who  had  fled  returned  to  their  homes,  and  Mr.  Eastbura 
and  his  wife  resumed  their  occupations.  The  subsequent 
period,  however,  till  the  peace  of  1783,  was  one  of  great 
public  agitation;  religion  was  in  a  languishing  state 
throughout  the  land,  and  vice  and  immorality,  the  usual 
attendants  of  war,  lamentably  prevailed.  So  far  as  op- 
portunity offered,  Mr.  Eastburn  continued  his  former 
practice  of  attending  meetings  for  prayer  and  Christian 
conference,  and  was  usually  a  leader  in  them. 

In  something  more  than  a  year  after  marriage,  as 
nearly  as  can  now  be  ascertained,  a  son  was  born  to  the 
pious  pair,  whose  story  we  are  tracing.  This  child 
bore  the  name  of  Thomas ;  and  there  can  be  no  doubt 
that  many  prayers  were  offered  in  his  behalf,  and  much 
religious  instruction  imparted  to  him.  But,  contrary  to 
the  wishes  of  his  parents,  he  insisted,  at  an  early  age, 
on  going  to  sea.  After  fruitless  endeavors  to  dissuade 
him  from  his  purpose,  he  vvas  committed  to  the  care 
of  Captain  Benjamin  Wickes,  then  an  intimate  and  en- 
deared friend  of  his  father,  and  the  commander  of  a 
merchant  vessel  which  sailed  from  the  port  of  Philadel- 
phia.    The  statement  of  this  venerable  man,  now  an 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


21 


larriage,  as 


elder  of  the  clnirch  in  his  82d  year,  as  given  to  the  writer 
a  few  days  since,  represents  the  conduct  of  young  East- 
burn,  while  under  his  superintendence,  as  orderly  and 
correct.     That  he  was  not  so,  when  he  came  to  act  for 
himself,  it  is^rievous^  to  mention.    He,  however,  became 
first  a  mate,  and  then  the  commander,  of  a  merchant 
vessel.    By  the  failure  of  a  mercantile  house,  into  whose 
employ  he  had  entered,  he  lost  the  little  property  he  had 
acquired :  and  shortly  after,  on  his  return  from  the  West 
Indies,  in  a  vessel  in  which  he  was  only  a  passenger,  he 
was  instantly  killed  by  a  cannon-ball,  at  the  age  of  twen- 
ty-four or  twenty-five  years.    This  was  at  the  time  when 
the  excesses  of  the  French   revolution  were  at  their 
height;  and  the  shot  which   killed  Thomas  Eastburn, 
seems  to  have  been  fired  with  a  view  to  detain,  or  to 
capture,  the  vessel  in  which  he  was  a  passenger,  with  a 
view  to  plunder.     The  news  of  the  death  of  their  son 
soon  reached  his  anxious  parents.     This  correction  of 
their  heavenly  Father  they  bore  with  a  submission  and 
resignation  truly  Christian ;  but  it  was  manifestly  painful 
for  them  to  speak  on  the  subject  to  any  of  their  friends. 
Hence  the  memoriahst,  after  his  pastoral  visit  to  the 
mourning  family,  never  introduced  the  topic  in  his  con- 
versation with  the  parents;  and  hence,  although  he  is 
satisfied  that  all  the  material  facts  of  the  case  are  here 
correctly  stated,  he  is  not  quite  sure  that  some  unimpor- 
tant circumstances  might  be  diiferent  from  the  represent- 
ation now  given  of  them.     It  may  serve  to  show  how 
opposite  are  the  sources  from  which  consolation  under 
affliction  is  sought  by  different  descrii)tions  of  people,  to 
relate  an  incident  which  took  place  on  this  sad  occasion. 
Some  of  the  sailors  belonging  to  the  ship  in  which  Thomas 
Eastburn  was  killed,  called  on  his  mother,  to  narrate  the 
particulars  of  the  disastrous  event.     On  [)erceiving  how 
much  she  was  grieved,  one  of  them  said — "  Madam,  he 
died  without  a  bit  of  pain ;  the  cannon-ball  carried  oif 
his  head  all  at  once.'^     Between  the  views  of  this  sailor 
and  Mrs.  Eastburn,  what  a  dillerence  ! — he  thinking  only 
of  an  easy  death;  she  absorbed  with  the  tlioughts  of  that 
eternity  into  which  her  son  was  so  suddenly  hurried. 
This  excellent  woman,  in  a  kind  of  reserved 


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MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 

intimated  to  her  pastor,  in  the  single  conversation  he  had 
with  her  on  the  death  of  her  only  son,  that  she  had  been 
unusually  engaged,  and,  as  she  thought,  assisted,  in  prayer 
on  his  behalf,  for  some  time  before  his  death ;  and  this 
vras  the  source,  and  the  only  one,  from  which  she  ap- 
peared to  derive  a  ray  of  consolation.  It  is  not  improb- 
able that  the  deep  interest  which,  in  the  latter  part  of  his 
life,  Mr.  Eastburn  took  in  the  spiritual  concerns  of  sea- 
men, was  increased  by  the  remembrance  of  his  son. 

We  now  return  to  narrate  the  events  of  most  impor- 
tance in  the  life  of  the  subject  of  these  memoirs,  during 
the  period  which  elapsed  from  his  return  from  exile,  till 
the  termination  of  the  awful  pestilence  of  1 793.  It  has 
already  been  mentioned,  that  during  the  first  part  of  this 
period,  he  continued  his  practice  of  attending  meetings 
for  prayer.  But  it  appears  that  beside  this,  he  sought  a 
regular  introduction  to  the  gospel  ministn^.  h  is  in  the 
recollection  of  the  memorialist,  that  before  he  left  his 
father^s  house  for  college,  which  was  in  May,  1 783,  a 
letter  iu  relation  to  the  introduction  of  a  man  into  the 
gospel  ministry,  without  a  liberal  education,  was  address- 
ed to  that  father.  It  cannot  be  stated  as  a  matter  of  dis- 
tinct remembrance,  that  this  letter  related  to  Mr.  East- 
burn  ;  and  yet  no  doubt  is  entertained  that  it  did.  The 
man  concerned,  it  was  understood,  resided  in  Philadel- 
phia. The  letter  was  written  by  a  delegate  from  the 
State  of  New- Jersey  to  the  old  Continental  Congress,  on 
which  that  delegate  was  then  attending.  The  party  to 
wh'jm  the  letter  was  addressed  was  a  leading  member  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Morris  county,  all  the  members  of  which 
had,  a  short  time  previously,  separated  themselves  from 
the  Presbytery  of  New- York,  and  formed  the  Presbytery 
of  Morris  county — -chiefly  with  a  view  to  license  men  to 
preach  the  gospel,  without  requiring,  as  indispensable,  a 
course  of  liberal  study.  But  the  manner  in  which  the 
business  to  which  this  letter  related  was  disposed  of,  in 
the  Morris  county  Presbytery,  is  unknown  to  the  memo- 
rialist ;  except  that  Mr.  Eastburn  was  never  under  the 
care  of  that  Presbytery.  It  is  considered  as  probable, 
that  the  finances  of  Mr.  £.  did  not  permit  him  to  spend 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTRURN. 


IW 


the  time  in  preparation  for  the  pulpit,  which  was  required 
even  by  the  Morris  county  Presbytery. 

Certain  it  is,  that  shortly  after  this  time,  a  proposition 
was  made  to  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  to  take  Mr. 
£.  on  trial  for  the  gospel  ministry,  without  the  literary 
acquisitions  usually  required  in  such  a  case.  The  minute 
of  this  Presbytery  on  the  subject  is  not  before  the  writer; 
but  the  following  minute  of  the  Synod  of  New-York  and 
Philadelphia  will  show  that  the  case  had  been  referred 
to  the  Synod  by  that  Presbytery.  The  name  of  Mr. 
Eastbum  was  indeed  omitted,  and  no  doubt  with  design, 
in  the  record ;  but  there  is  no  question  that  the  reference 
was  to  him.  In  the  minutes  of  the  Synod,*  at  their  ses- 
sions in  May,  1783,  the  following  entry  appears : 

"Through  the  committee  of  overtures,  it  was  requested 
by  the  First  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  that  the  Synod 
declare  to  them  their  sense  on  this  point,  viz.  whether  a 
person  without  a  liberal  education,  may  be  taken  on  trial 
or  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  ?  The  questicm  being 
put,  it  was  carried  in  the  negative." 

It  was  mentioned  to  a  friend  of  the  writer,  by  Mr. 
Eastbum  himself,  not  long  before  his  death,  that  the 
influence  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Witherspoon  in  the  Synod, 
was  chiefly  instrumental  in  obtaining  this  decision.  How- 
ever that  might  be,  and  whatever  might  be  the  number 
of  those  who  voted  in  opposition  to  the  majority,  the 
cause  of  Mr.  E.  had,  it  appears,  but  one  open  and  active 
advocate.  A  daughter  of  tlie  Rev.  Dr.  Sproat,  now  liv- 
ing, has  within  a  few  hours  assured  the  writer,  that  she 
well  remembers  the  emphasis  with  which  her  father  said, 
on  returning  to  his  family  from  the  Synod—"  I  have  had 
to  stand  alone,  in  pleading  the  cause  of  Mr.  Eastbum  :'* 
and  then  added,  that  he  believed  Mr.  E.  might  do  more 
good  in  preaching  the  gospel  than  some  others  who  ob- 
tained license.  The  memorialist  feels  himself  bound  to 
state  facts  as  he  finds  them ;  but  it  is  not  to  be  understood 
<hat  he  means  to  give  an  opinion,  in  opposition  to  that  of 
the  Synod  on  this  occasion.     It  will  appear  hereafter  in 

*  It  will  be  recollected  that  this  was  before  the  formation  of  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church ;  and  that  this  Synod 
was  then  the  supreme  judicature  of  that  church. 


» 


5     h 


'I 


24 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  RET.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


what  manner  he  did  think  and  act,  when  called  in  Provi- 
dence to  take  a  part  in  authorizing  Mr.  E.  to  assume  the 
character  of  a  religious  teacher.  In  the  mean  time,  this 
decision  of  the  Synod  seemed  to  terminate  all  hopes  in 
the  mind  of  Mr.  E.  that  he  would  ever  be  permitted  to 
preach  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  How  much  influence 
it  had,  or  whether  any,  in  turning  his  views  to  another 
communion,  the  memorialist  is  not  prepared  to  pronounce. 
The  facts  are,  thait  not  long  after  this  decision,  an  inti- 
macy, which  had  not  previously  existed,  took  place  be- 
tween him  and  some  brethren  of  the  Baptist  church ;  and 
that,  in  the  issue,  he  received  from  a  minister  of  that 
church  rebaptization  in  the  form  of  immersion.  This 
took  place  at  Southampton,  about  17- miles  to  the  north 
of  Philadelphia. 

The  known  consci^itiousness  of  Mr.  E.  ought  to  pre- 
vent or  remove  all  suspicion  that,  in  this  transaction,  he 
did  not  act  under  a  full  conviction  of  duty.  But  whether 
that  conviction  was  the  result  of  due  deliberation,  and  of 
enlightened  views,  is  another  matter.  His  purpose  of 
doing  what  he  did  in  this  concern,  appears  to  have  been 
concealed,  both  from  his  wife  and  his  beloved  pastor  and 
friend,  Dr.  Sproat  It  is  certain  that  he  was  never  en- 
rolled as  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church ;  and  it  is  be- 
lieved that  he  never  communed  in  that  church,  even  in 
a  single  instance.  To  satisfy  his  a^ieved  wife,  (for  she 
was  deeply  grieved  on  this  occasion,)  he  promised  her 
that  he  would  not  leave  the  church  to  which  they  both 
belonged,  while  she  remained  in  life ;  and  he  not  only 
fulfilled  this  promise,  but  showed  as  little  disposition  to 
leave  it  after  her  decease,  as  he  had  done  before.* 

*  Mr.  Hiram  Ayres,  whose  signature  appears  at  the  close  of  the 
first  of  the  following  letters,  very  kindly  consented,  at  the  request 
of  the  writer  of  these  memoirs,  to  endeavor  to  obtain  authentic 
information  from  Southampton,  in  regard  to  Mr.  E.'s  rebaptization 
there.  The  foregoing  account  was  just  finished,  when  the  foroA , 
ing  letters  were  received. 


Philadelphia^  March  21ff,  1828. 
Dear  Sir, — In  compliance  with  my  promise,  I  wrote  to  South- 
ampton for  information  concerning  the  late  Rev.  Joseph  Eastburn, 


(     26     ) 


/*i|< 


CHAPTER  in. 

Mr.  Eastbtim  enters  into  partnership — character  of  his 
partner — situation  of  his  workshop,  and  conversations 
in  it — his  long  ana  unabated  struggle  with  adixerse 
worldly  circumstances — his  conduct  and  sufferings  in 
several  seasons  of  pestilence — his  kind  attentions  to  the 
afflicted  family  of  Dr.  Sproat — the  way  providentially 
opened  for  his  deliverance  from  worldly  embarrassment^ 
and  for  his  becoming  a  religious  teacher — plan  for  his 

.  services  in  the  Northern  Liberties  of  Philadelphia — he 
departs  from  that  plan,  and  remarks  on  the  subject, 

^  Near  the  time  of  his  heing  rebaptized,  Mr.  Eastburn 
entered  into  partnership,  in  the  cabinet-making  business, 
with  Mr.  Peter  Lesley.     A  brief  notice  of  this  worthy 

and  after  considerable  delay,  received  the  following  information 
from  two  different  persons,  one  of  whom  was  present  at  the  bap- 
tism, and  whose  testimony  is  conclusive  as  to  time,  &c.  He  thinks 
it  was  in  the  smnmer  of  1788,  that  Mr.  Eastburn  was  baptized, 
and  states  that  the  ordinance  was  administered  by  the  Rev.  David 
Jones.  But  for  your  greater  satisfaction,  I  have  given  the  paper 
accompanying  this,  which  you  will  perceive  contams  the  informa- 
tion above  stated;  also  some  interesting  circumstances — all  of 
which  is  at  your  service.  The  other  person  to  whom  I  wrote 
gives  a  corresponding  statement ;  says  it  was  between  the  years 
1786  and  '92,  that  he  was  baptized,  and  by  the  same  person,  and 
at  the  same  place,  as  above  stated.  It  appears  from  both  the 
letters  I  received,  that  no  record  was  made  of  the  transaction  in 
the  church  book.  Sindte  receiving  those  letters  I  have  heard  it 
said,  that  the  Rev.  Thomas  Fleeson,  of  Blockley,  was  possessed 
of  information  concerning  the  subject  of  our  inquiries.  I  accord- 
ingly wrote  to  him,  but  have  not  yet  received  a  reply. 

I  am  yours,  dtc.  ' 

Hiram  Ayres, 
JVo.  14,  South  Twelfth  Street. 
Rev.  a.  Green,  D.  D. 


rr 


The  letter  to  Mr.  Ayres,  to  which  his  note  refers,  is  as  follows : 

Southampton^  March  17, 1828. 
"  Dear  Cousin, — You  wrote  some  time  since,  requesting  such 
information  from  Southampton  as  could  be  come  at,  concerning 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 

man  ought  to  have  a  place  in  these  memoirs.  He  was  not 
only  the  partner  and  particular  friend  of  Mr.  E.,  but  the 
remembrance  of  him  is  too  grateful  to  the  writer  to  admit 
of  passing  him  by,  without  some  memorial.  During  the 
six  and  twenty  years,  in  which  the  memorialist  sustained 
the  pastoral  relation  to  the  second  Presbyterian  church 
of  Philadelphia,  Mr.  Lesley  was  the  sexton  of  that  church. 
He  was  a  man  of  great  modesty,  integrity,  industry,  and 
piety.    His  industry  and  prudent  management  of  his 


i.*l 

I  m 


f 


y; 


Mr.  Joseph  Eafitbum.  I  do  not  recollect  the  precise  time,  but 
think  it  was  some  time  in  the  summer  of  1788,  that  Mr.  Eastburn 
came  to  Southampton,  where  he  gave  a  very  pleasing  and  satisfac- 
tory relation  of  his  religious  experience,  before  the  church — dated 
his  first  reUgious  exercise  among  the  Methodists — but  afterwards, 
becoming  dissatisfied  with  their  way,  left  them,  and  gave  himself 
a  member  among  the  Presbyterians ;  said  the  Lord's  presence  was 
among  them,  and  that  he  had  enjoyed  many  precious  seasons  m 
their  society;  bilt  to  satisfy  a  scrupulous  conscience,  he  had  come 
to  Southampton  to  be  baptized  by  immersion — which  ordinance 
was  administered  by  Mr.  David  Jones.  What  I  have  now  written 
I  remember  perfectly  well,  being  present  at  the  time. 

"  Elias  Yerkes. 
"  Mr.  Hiram  Ayres." 

*'  Mr.  Eastburn  did  not  give  himself  a  member  of  the  church  at 
Southampton,  his  residence  being  in  Philadelphia ;  therefore  the 
church-book  is  silent  about  him.  He  was  baptized  only  upon  a 
profession  of  his  faith  in  Christ,  and  went  on  his  way  rejoicing." 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  statement  which  had  been  prepared 
before  these  letters  were  received,  is  not  invalidated  by  them,  in 
any  thing  except  the  date  of  the  transaction  to  which  reference  is 
made.  This  date  is  in  itself  of  little  importance.  Yet  it  may  not 
be  improper  to  remark,  that  it  is  incorrectly  assigned  to  the  sum- 
mer of  1788.  At  that  time  the  writer  had  been  settled  as  co-pas- 
tor with  Dr.  Sproat  for  something  more  than  a  year ;  and  he  is 
well  assured  that  the  rebaptizing  of  Mr.  Eastburn  had  taken 
place  before  his  settlement,  which  was  in  April,  1 787.  Mr.  Yerkes, 
the  venerable  member  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Southampton,  who 
wrote  the  second  letter,  says  expUcitly — "  I  do  not  recollect  the 
precise  time."  After  the  lapse  of  more  than  forty  years,  although 
facts  may  be  distinctly  remembered,  dates  can  seldom  be  fixed, 
without  some  other  aid  than  that  of  mere  memory.  The  informa- 
tipn  given  by  Mr.  Yerkes,  as  to  Mr.  Eastburn's  views  in  seeking 
baptism  by  inunersion,  is  a  valuable  addition  to  the  previous  ac- 
count. 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN.  27 

affairs,  enabled  him,  under  the  divine  blessing,  to  provide, 
in  a  very  reputable  and  conrifortable  manner,  for  a  nu- 
merous family ;  and  by  a  careful  attention  to  the  duties 
of  his  station,  and  a  uniform  disposition  and  endeavour  to 
oblige,  he  acquired  a  respect  and  esteem,  which  men  of 
a  more  elevated  rank  do  not  always  merit  or  obtain.  The 
piety  of  Mr.  L.  was  marked  by  simplicity  and  humility ; 
he  was  "an  Israelite  indeed, in  whom  there  was  no  guile." 
Such  were  his  lowly  thoughts  of  himself,  that  he  sometimes 
needed  counsel  and  encouragement  to  prescr^'e  him  from 
despondence.  He  was  truly  devout ;  and  no  other  neglect* 
of  his  duties  as  sexton  is  recollected  to  have  been  ever 
laid  to  his  charge,  than  that  he  was,  occasionally,  so  en- 
grossed by  the  services  of  the  sanctuary,  that  he  did  not 
sufficiently  notice  the  strangers  who  entered  the  church. 
If  there  was  truth  in  this  charge,  of  which  the  writer  is 
doubtful,  who  that  knew  the  cause,  would  not  readily 
excuse,  if  they  did  not  commend  the  man,  whose  devo- 
tion to  his  God  produced  a  temporary  foi^etfulness  of  his 
fellow-worms?  This^  humble  and  exemplair  Christian, 
died  in  the  faith  and  hope  of  the  gospel,  March  31st, 
1816,  at  the  advanced  age  of  79  years. 

Mr.  Eastbum  was.  for  a  long  time,  the  clerk  of  the 
church  of  which  Mr.  Lesley  was  the  sexton ;  and  a  small 
wooden  building,  in  front  of,  and  connected  with,  the 
base  of  the  steeple,  by  which  the  church  edifice  was  then 
adorned,  furnished  the  workshop^  in  which  these  part- 
ners in  manual  labour  pursued  their  occupation,  with 
unceasing  activity.  The  number  of  hours  in  the  day, 
during  which  they  toiled  at  their  trade,  was  greater  than 
usual.  Mr.  Eastburn  once  told  the  writer,  that  a  man, 
who  valued  himself  on  his  skill  in  the  caljinet-making 
business,  came  from  the  country  to  the  city,  under  the 
idea  that  city  mechanics  had  easier  times  than  their 
country  brethren.  He  applied  to  Messrs  E.  &:  L.  for  em- 
ployment as  8  journeyman.  Employment  was  offered  him, 
on  condition  that  he  should  work  the  same  number  of 
hours  in  each  day  as  his  employers.  The  offer  was  gladly 
accepted ;  but  in  less  than  a  week,  the  journeyman  de- 
clared that  "  he  could  not  stand  it  to  work  as  they  did," 
and  left  their  service.     This  workshop  was,  for  several 


StB 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


t     n 


^ 


years,  the  resort  of  many  who  wished  to  converse  with 
Mr.  Eastburn  on  the  subject  of  religion  generally,  or  on 
the  state  of  their  own  souls  in  particular.  He  convers^sd 
and  laboured  at  the  same  time;  and  the  observations  he 
made,  and  the  advice  he  gave,  in  these  circumstances, 
were,  in  many  instances,  highly  useful. 

He  was  always  fond  of  children,  and  seldom  failed  to 
gain  their  affection  and  confidence  in  return.  From  a 
school  almost  adjoining  his  shop, he  was  daily  resorted  to 
by  a  number  of  these  youthful  visitants,  whom  he  sup- 
plied with  little  blocks,  the  remnants  of  the  wood  in 
which  he  wrought;  and  sometimes  permitted  them  to 
build  their  tiny  fabrics  on  the  floor  of  his  shop,  while  he 
watched  an  opportunity  to  say  something  to  them,  which 
he  hoped  they  might  remember  with  advantage.  The 
following  short  dialogue  between  him  and  the  writer'^ 
eldest  son,  then  a  child  about  six  years  old,  may  serve  as 
a  specimen  of  his  conversations  on  these  occasions — 
**  Mr.  E.  Well  Robert,  you  seem  very  busy — If  you  live, 
what  business  do  you  expect  to  follow  ?  what  do  you  ex- 
pect to  be?  Robert.  Why  Mr.  Eastburn,  you  know  what 
my  Pa  is?  Mr.  E.  Yes,  your  Pa  is  a  minister  of  the  gos- 
pel. R.  Well,  I  intend  to  be  a  minister  too,  Mr.  E.  Ah, 
my  dear,  if  you  intend  to  be  a  minister,  you  must  first  be 
a  good  man.  Remember  that ;  for  you  had  better  be  a 
cliimney-sweeper,  than  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  if  you 
are  not  a  good  man.^^  It  is  known  that  a  number  of  indi- 
viduals of  unquestionable  piety,  now  living,  attribute  their 
first  religious  impressions  to  the  affectionate  admonitions 
and  instructions  which  in  their  childhood,  or  early  youth, 
they  received  from  this  faithful  servant  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 
His  earnest  prayers  were  doubtless  constantly  offered,  in 
behalf  of  those  who  received  his  counsels  ;  and  "  the  fer- 
vent and  effectual  prayer  of  a  righteous  man  availeth 
much." 

After  the  close  of  the  revolutionary  war  in  1783,  till 
the  establishment  of  the  federal  government  of  the  United 
States  in  1788,  and,  in  a  degree,  for  several  years  after- 
wards, there  was  a  most  deplorable  stagnation  of  almost 
every  kind  of  business.  The  produce  of  the  soil  was  in- 
deed abundant,  but  there  was  scarcely  any  foreign  com- 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBVRIf. 


S9 


merce ;  and  in  consequence  of  this,  and  the  circulation 
of  a  paper  currency,  the  precious  metals  had  almost  en- 
tirely disappeared — they  had  either  left  the  country,  or 
were  iioarded  by  a  few  individuals.  For  the  wares  of 
mechanics,  especially,  the  demand  was  very  small,  and 
the  price  unusually  low.  Mr.  Eastbum^s  circumstances^ 
in  common  with  those  of  many  others,  became,  from  this 
cause,  much  straitened.  But  another  cause  increased 
his  embarrassment.  He  had  borrowed  money  to  pur- 
chase a  lot  of  i'round,  and  on  it  had  erected  the  house  in 
which  he  lived  till  the  time  of  his  decease.  The  labour 
of  building  the  house  had,  to  a  considerable  extent,  been 
performed  by  his  own  hands.  But  the  lot  was  not  paid 
for ;  and  although  his  creditor  never  pressed  him  for  the 
debt,  yet  he  dreaded  its  increase;  and  to  prevent  the 
accumulation  of  interest,  and  to  support  a  wife,  now  ex- 
ceedingly infirm,  and  his  son,  then  a  boy,  exertions  and 
management,  of  no  ordinary  kind,  were  required.  The 
writer  well  recollects  the  sympathy  which  be  felt  for  this 
exemplary  man,  in  witnessing  the  incessant  labors,  pur- 
sued both  early  and  late,  by  which  he  endeavored  to 
avoid  debt,  and  to  afford  to  a  valetudinary  wife  the  ac- 
commodations which  she  needed,  and  which  he  never 
suffered  her  to  want.  This  stru^le  with  adverse  circum- 
stances was  not  abated,  till  it  terminated  in  complete 
success.  It  is  believed  that  his  debt,  if  not  annually  di- 
minished, was  always  kept  stationary,  till  it  was  ultimately 
cancelled,  in  the  manner  that  will  presently  appear.  In 
the  mean  time,  the  debtor,  with  an  humble  but  cheerful 
tmst  in  the  providence  of  God,  seized  ever}'  opportunity 
that  offered,  to  serve  the  Saviour  whom  he  loved,  and  to 
engage  in  those  spiritual  exercises  in  which  he  delighted. 
Unless  detained  in  his  shop  to  prepare  a  coffin  that  was 
urgently  demanded,  he  never  failed  to  attend  a  weekly 
religious  service  of  the  congregation  to  which  he  belonged, 
and  which  was  celebrated  in  a  private  dwelling,  as  well 
as  every  public  service  performed  in  the  church,  on  the 
evenings  of  secular  days.  He  often,  also,  after  the  fatigues 
of  the  day  and  a  part  of  the  evening,  visited,  conversed, 
and  prayed  with  the  sick. 

In  the  manner  above  described,  Mr.  Eastbum  passed 


't; 


30 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


l 


his  life,  till  the  occurrence  of  the  memorahle  oestilence, 
which  spread  terror  and  desolation  throj^gh  tiie  city  of 
Philadeii)hia,  in  the  year  1793.  On  tliat  occasion,  the 
city  was  soon  abandoned  by  a  large  majority  of  its  inhab- 
itants ;  but  the  senior  pastor  of  the  Second  Presbyterian 
church,  with  the  clerk  and  sexton,  remained  at  their 
posts.  The  then  junior  pastor  of  that  church,  the  writer 
of  these  memoirs,  having,  with  his  wife,  suffered  among 
the  iirst  subjects  of  the  disease,  and  while  yet  in  a  state 
of  imperfect  convalescence,  was  called  by  a  singula! 
providence  into  the  country,  where  he  remained,  with 
his  family,  till  the  calamity  had  subsided.  But  never, 
while  memory  remains,  can  he  forget  the  distress  of  that 
awful  period.  Many  of  his  dearest  friends  and  most  es- 
teemed parishioners  were  hurried  to  the  grave.  Among 
the  rest,  his  venerated  and  beloved  colleague,  with  his 
wife,  two  of  his  children,  and  an  amiable  daughter-in-law, 
became  the  victims  of  this  awful  scoui^e.  Mr.  Eastburn 
did  not  esca|>e  a  severe  attack  of  the  prevailing  pesti- 
lence; but  his  life  was  spared — spared  in  rich  mercy, 
not  only  to  those  to  whom  his  after  ministrations  in  the 
gospel  were  so  eminently  blessed,  but  to  many  who, 
during  the  pestilence,  were  destitute  of  every  other  friend 
and  helper.  The  family  of  his  aged,  endeared,  and  deeply 
afflicted  pastor,  received  his  most  assiduous  attentions. 
To  them,  as  a  relict  of  that  family,  still  in  life,  has  re- 
cently and  with  much  emphasis  expressed  it  to  the  writer, 
"  he  was  like  a  good  angel."  He  visited  them  daily,  to 
inquire  after  the  state  of  their  health,  or  more  commonly 
the  state  of  their  illness ;  to  take  charge  of  their  concerns, 
and  to  provide  for  their  wants,  as  if  they  all  had  been  his 
own — his  own  indeed  they  were,  for  affection  and  sym- 
pathy made  them  such.  As  one  after  another  of  this 
mourning  family  fell  before  the  destroyer,  Mr.  E.  was 
still  present,  to  see  that  the  corpse  was  decently  laid  out, 
the  coffin  prepared,  and  the  funeral  rites  performed,  with 
all  the  respect  which  the  uigency  of  tlie  times  would 
permit.  Such  were  his  attentions  and  exertions,  unabated 
and  undismayed  by  disease  and  death,  which  stalked  on 
every  side,  till,  as  the  concluding  part  of  his  sad  employ- 
ment, he  deposited  in  the  house  appointed  for  all  living. 


m 


■>iimuiji  I  .immm0e*ai 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBVIUf. 


31 


the  mortal  remains  of  his  beloved  pastor,  and  those  of  his 
wife. 

It  appears  from  the  diary  of  Dr.  Sproat,  a  part  of  which 
has  been  published,  that  for  a  considerable  length  of  time 
after  the  general  prevalence  of  the  yellow  fever,  and  the 
flight  of  the  citizens,  h«  met  a  few  of  the  pious  people  of 
his  charge  who  remained  in  the  city,  both  on  the  sab- 
bath and  on  some  other  occasions.  On  all  these  occa- 
sions, without  its  being  testified  particularly  to  the  memo- 
rialist, he  has  no  doubt  that  Mr.  Eastburn  took  a  leading 
part;  and  also,  in  rendering,  in  a  more  private  way, 
every  service,  both  of  a  spiritual  and  temporal  kind,  to 
the  sick  and  the  dying.  His  own  attack  was  before  the 
disease  had  attained  its  widest  spread ;  his  recovery  was 
speedy  and  perfect;  and  he  afterwards  retained  his  hiealth, 
till  health  was  restored  to  the  city  at  large.* 


*  The  following  extract  from  the  writer's  printed  sermon  on  tbm 
death  of  Dr.  Sproat,  with  the  accompanying  notes,  will  serve  to 
illustrate  some  of  the  facts  referred  to  in  this  part  of  the  memoir: 

*'  The  painful  infirmities  of  age,  under  which  Dr.  Sproat  laboured 
for  a  considerable  time  before  his  death,  he  bore  with  a  cheerful 
fortitude.  Since  the  twenty-third  day  of  August  last,  he  had  been 
looking  for  death,  and  ripening  for  it  with  uncommon  speed.  Oa 
that  day  he  completed  half  a  century  of  years  in  the  character  of  an 
ordained  minister  of  tlie  gospel ;  and  thenceforward,  to  the  time  of 
his  death,  the  larger  portion  of  his  wdsing  hours  were  spent  in  the 
immediate  acts  of  devotion,  or  of  devout  meditations  and  aspiratiras 
of  soul.C')  He  endured  the  severe  distress  which  was  iniucted  on 
his  family  without  the  least  repining.(f )  At  the  funeral  of  a  dear 
sun  he  might  with  peculiar  propriety  use  the  language,  for  he  emi- 
nently possessed  the  spirit  of  Job.(tj 

"  His  death  was  easy,  and  he  was  rational  to  the  last.  A  short 
time  before  he  expired,  and  after  he  had  lost  the  power  of  speech, 
being  asked  if  he  felt  the  support  of  religion,  he  answered  by  the 
signal  of  lifting  up  his  hands  and  his  eyes  to  heaven. 

(*)  *•  This  is  confirmed  not  only  by  the  observation  and  testimony  of  thoM 
who  were  most  about  him,  but  by  what  appears  in  his  own  diary.  Thi» 
diary  exhibits  one  of  the  most  instructinsf  views  of  the  exercises  and  temper 
of  a  Christian,  especially  when  under  affliction,  that  perhaps  has  ever  been 
seen. 

(t)  "  His  eldest  son  with  his  wife,  and  his  younjest  daughter,  died  within 
the  space  of  a  month.  The  doctor  himself,  and  Mrs.  Sproat,  were  added  to 
the  number  in  less  than  a  month  afterwards. 

(t)  "  Enfeebled  and  trembling  with  age,  the  Dr.  followed  the  corpse  of  hi« 
son  to  the  grave,  and  after  it  was  deposited,  leaning  on  his  staff,  he  pro- 
nounced only  these  words,—*  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  awa/t 
blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord.*  Amea ! 

D 


32 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EA8TBURN. 


i     \i 


.  I 


A   -A' 


y 


X 


Mr.  Eastburn  passed  through  three  other  seasons  of 
desolating  pestilence,  which  occurred  in  Philadelphia,  in 
the  successive  years  of  1797,  1798,  and  1799.  Those 
with  which  the  city  was  visited  in  1802  and  1803,  were 
comparatively  slight  and  partial.  Of  these,  that  of  1798 
was  not  less  fatal  and  terrific  than  the  one  of  1 793,  of 
which  we  have  taken  a  more  particular  notice.  In  1 798, 
Mr.  E.  suffered  more  severely  from  the  prevalent  malig- 
nant fever,  than  he  had  done  five  years  before — it  brought 
him  in  appearance  to  the  verge  of  the  grave.  The  faith- 
ful and  vigilant  nursing  of  his  infirm  v/ife,  was  the  princi- 
pal means,  I'nder  the  divine  blessing,  of  preserving  his 
valuable  life.  He  had  in  this  illness  a  very  earnest  desire 
to  depart,  and  to  be  with  his  Saviour.  "  But  I  could  not 
obtain  my  discharge,"  was  the  language  which  he  used, 
in  speaking  to  the  writer  of  his  feelings  and  views  at  this 
period ;  and  this  language  carried  in  it  more  meaning  than 
he  could  have  thought  of  at  that  time.  He  was  not 
**  dischai^ed,  because  he  had  yet  to  render  services,  in 
the  church  militant,  of  the  most  important  kind.  He  had 
not  yet  had  an  opportunity  to  sound  the  gospel  trumpet, 
in  that  public  manner  in  which  he  afterwards  did,  and 
for  which  hundreds,  perhaps  thousands,  will  bless  God 
to  all  eternity. 

The  providential  dealings  of  the  Father  of  mercies 
with  his  dear  children,  are  often  such  as  they  do  not  un- 
derstand at  the  time ;  and  which  astonish  them  on  the 
The  exertions,  and  anxieties,  and  privations, 


review. 


"  The  respect  which  was  shown  to  his  remaiDs,  at  a  time  which 
precluded  it  in  almost  every  other  instance,  was  a  proof  of  the  high 
esteem  in  which  he  was  held."(*) 

(»)  "  During  the  late  distressing  scenes  which  were  witnessed  in  this  city, 
the  almost  universal  mode  of  conveying  a  corpse  to  the  grave  was  in  a  Learse 
or  a  cart ;  and  the  attendants  consisted  only  of  the  person  who  drove  the 
carriage,  the  grave-digger,  or  a  negro  hired  for  the  purpose,  and,  in  a  few 
instances,  two  or  three  mourning  friends.  But  in  the  case  of  Dr.  Sproat 
there  was  a  procession  and  bearers  of  the  dead,  which,  as  it  was  more  strik- 
ing to  the  beholders,  in  the  circumstances  in  which  it  happened,  than  the 
most  splendid  funeral  that  perhaps  the  city  ever  produced,' so  it  was  a  much 
stronger  proof  of  the  affection  which  was  felt  for  the  deceased,  than  tlie 
greatest  parade,  in  ordinary  times,  can  possibly  be.  The  pious  people  who 
had  met  at  the  church  for  prayer,  formed  a  procession  of  about  fifty  persons, 
•ind  some  religious  negroes  voluntarily  offered  themselves  to  carry  the  bier." 


MEM0r2  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBtJRN. 


S3 


;r  services,  m 


of  Mr.  E.  in  the  seasons  of  yellow  fever  through  vi^hich 
he  passed,  were  certainly  great,  and  at  times  exceedingly 
trying;  although  it  is  believed  that  he  suffered  little,  per- 
haps nothing,  fronn  the  fear  of  death,  as  a  personal  con- 
cern. Yet  he  not  only  suffered  extremely  by  disease, 
especially  in  1798,  but  the  scenes  of  human  misery  with 
which  he  was  surrounded,  and  which  in  many  instances 
admitted  of  no  relief,  were  distressing  beyond  description. 
The  toil  he  endured  both  by  night  and  by  day,  in  making 
coffins  for  the  dead,  and  in  visiting  the  diseased  and  the 
dying,  were  burdensome  in  the  extreme.  Above  all,  the 
multitude  of  immortal  beings,  (sometimes  a  hundred  in  a 
day,)  whom  he  saw  passing  into  eternity,  the  most  of  them 
ignorant,  and  many  of  them  vicious — ^must  have  produced 
on  a  mind  like  his — always  sympathetic,  and  always 
deeply  impressed  with  the  realities  of  that  unchanging 
state  of  happiness  or  misery  upon  which  death  sets  ite 
seal — feelings,  which  nothing  but  the  grace  of  God,  added 
to  much  natural  fortitude,  could  have  enabled  hira  to  en- 
dure. These,  notwithstanding,  were  the  very  dispensa- 
tions of  Providence  which  were  made  to  contribute  to 
his  future  comfort  and  usefulness — which  brought  him 
into  that  sphere  of  action  in  the  church  of  Christ,  to 
which  he  had  long  been  looking  as  an  object  of  intense 
desire,  and  which  he  had  often  resigned  as  hopeless. 
The  avails  of  his  mechanical  business,  of  which  the 
making  of  coffins  is  always  a  very  profitable  part,  were 
such,  (although  he  took  no  undue  advantage  of  the  neces- 
sities which  the  pestilence  created)  that  he  not  only  can- 
celled all  his  debts,  but  accumulated  a  little  capital,  which 
enabled  him  afterwards  to  live  without  labor,  to  make  sll 
his  ministerial  services  perfectly  gratuitous,  to  do  many 
charitable  acts  while  living,  and  to  provide  for  the  sup- 
port of  a  preacher  in  the  mariner's  church  at  his  death. 
In  another  and  a  still  more  important  respect,  were  the 
desolations  of  pestilence  made  instrumental  in  opening 
the  way  for  his  preaching  the  gospel.  They  produced  a 
demand  for  his  services,  which  it  was  not  easy,  if  it  had 
been  lawful,  to  resist.  To  be  prepared  for  an  uninter- 
rupted narrative  of  the  several  steps  by  which  this  was 
brought  about,  an  account  of  the  manner  in  which  he 


^f" 


34 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBITRN. 


.     :i 


^ 


passed  the  various  seasons  of  pestilence  that  have  been 
noted,  has  been  given  at  once  ;  and  has  carried  forward 
the  story  of  his  Hfe,  as  connected  with  these  events,  to  a 
period  from  which  we  must  now  look  back  for  several 
years. 

The  church  to  which  Mr.  Eastbum  belonged  was  col- 
legiate. The  congregation  worshipped  in  two  places, 
and  in  those  the  two  pastors  preached  alternately.  Each 
of  these  congregations,  of  course,  on  the  death  of  one  of 
the  pastors,  and  till  the  settlement  of  another,  would  be 
deprived  of  half  the  supply  of  the  public  and  regular 
preaching  of  the  gospel ;  or  else,  a  portion  of  ministerial 
labour  was  to  be  taken  from  one,  at  the  expense  of  the 
other.  The  Northern  Liberties  of  the  city  contained 
one  of  these  congregations,  which  was  yet  in  an  infant 
and  very  feeble  state,  and  had  contributed,  and  could 
contribute,  but  little  to  the  support  of  the  gospel.  It  was 
therefore  ma^e  a  question,  on  the  death  of  Dr.  Sproat, 
whether  the  attempt  to  establish-a  Presbyterian  church 
in  that  place,  and  at  that  time,  ought  not  to  be  abandoned. 
This  idea  was  resisted  by  the  remaining  pastor ;  but  it 
seemed  neither  practicable  nor  proper  to  resist  the  opin- 
ion, that  his  services  should  be  chiefly,  and  almost  wholly, 
given  to  that  congregation  which  was  fourfold  the  more 
numerous  of  the  two,  and  from  which  nearly  the  whole 
pecuniary  expenses  of  the  collegiate  church  had  been, 
and  was  still  to  be  defrayed.  The  remaining  pastor,  who 
vras  the  present  writer,  and  who  must  now  speak  of  him- 
self and  his  agency  much  more  frequently  than  he  could 
wish,  gave  as  much  attention  as  he  could  to  the  feeble 
congregation ;  but  it  was  without  a  regular  supply  for 
six  years  in  succession.  It  was  mournful  and  embarrass- 
ing to  witness  this  destitution ;  and  to  hear  applications 
for  religious  instruction  which  could  not  be  complied 
with.  To  afford  some  relief,  the  pastor  resolved,  that, 
in  addition  to  the  occasional  services  which  he  might  be 
able  to  render  to  this  part  of  his  charge,  (for  such  he  still 
considered  it,)  he  would  open  a  weekly  meeting  for  re- 
ligious exercises,  on  the  evening  of  the  Lord's  day,  and 
commit  the  conducting  of  it,  subject  to  some  general  di- 
rections from  himself,  to  Mr.  Eastburn. 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


35 


The  plan  for  the  exercises  of  this  meeting  was  as  fol- 
lows : — The  children  and  youth  of  the  congregation  were 
to  be  the  principal  objects  of  attention.  They  were  to 
come  tc^ether  in  a  large  school-room,  to  repeat  to  Mr. 
E.  the  Westminster  Shorter  Catechism,  with  the  hymns 
and  forms  of  devotion  prepared  for  children  by  Dr.  Watts 
— the  forms  of  devotion  somewhat  modified,  and  reprinted 
in  a  primer-like  form,  for  the  occasion.  The  parents  of 
the  children  were  invited,  and  any  others  who  chose  were 
permitted,  to  attend  at  these  meetings ;  and  after  prayer 
and  singing,  the  children  were  to  repeat  their  catechism, 
hymns,  and  prayers,  to  Mr.  E.  and  he  was  then  to  make 
such  explanatory  remarks  on  the  catechism  as  he  thought 
proper,  and  to  address,  first  and  principally  to  the  chil- 
dren, and  then  to  their  parents  and  other  attendants,  such 
exhortations  of  a  practical  nature,  as  he  judged  would  be 
for  edification.  These  exercises  were  to  be  followed  by 
prayer,  and-  to  be  concluded  with  singing  a  hymn  or 
psalm,  with  the  doxology.  Such  was  the  plan  adopted 
by  the  pastor — adopted  without  consultation  with  others, 
and  for  which,  if  he  deserved  the  blame  to  which  a  few 
of  his  ministerial  brethren  saw  fit  to  subject  him,  it  cannot 
be  denied  that  it  belonged  to  him  exclusively.  The  se- 
quel will  show  that  it  did  lea":  to  some  abuse ;  but  that 
this  abuse  was  apeedily  and  completely  corrected ;  and 
the  issue  was  unquestionably  of  the  most  salutary  kind. 
Certain  it  is,  that  the  pastor  was  entitled  to  no  praise  or 
commendation  whatsoever,  for  being,  as  he  undoubtedly 
was,  the  chief  instrument  of  introducing  Mr.  E.  to  the 
wide  field  of  usefulness  which  he  afterwards  entered ;  for 
there  was  not,  at  that  time,  in  the  mind  of  the  pastor,  any 
conception  that  such  a  result  would  be  produced.  He 
had  no  expectation  that  Mr.  E.  would  do  more,  or  go 
farther,  than  teach  the  children  and  youth,  and  exhort 
and  pray  with  them  and  their  parents,  agreeably  to  the 
plan  that  has  been  specified ;  and  he  supposed  that  even 
this  would  be  no  more  than  a  temporary  measure.  In  a 
word,  all  that  ensued  was  unforeseen  and  unexpected, 
and  the  pastor  only  acted  on  the  several  emergencies 
which  subsequently  occurred,  as  his  sense  of  duty  dic- 
tated at  the  time. 

D2 


36 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


.1    '.:.  '   t      ! 


^: 


H 


]i   •  I      i 


The  original  plan  appeared  evidently  to  be  attended 
with  a  divine  blessing.  Since  the  writing  of  these  me- 
moirs was  commenced,  word  has  been  sent  to  the  writer, 
that  one  or  more  Christians  of  distinction  trace  their  con- 
version to  the  instructions,  and  exhortations,  and  prayers, 
which,  in  youth,  they  heard  from  Mr.  Eastburn,  in  the 
school-house  at  Campington.  The  pastor  attended  these 
meetings  on  a  few  occasions  at  the  first,  to  afford  his 
countenance  and  aid  in  executing  the  plan  he  had  devised. 
He  finds  in  his  diary  for  January  31st,  1796,  the  follow- 
ing entry : — "  In  the  evening  1  went  and  drank  tea  at 
Mr.  Eastbum's,  and  went  with  him  to  the  society  at 
Campington.  The  people  were  very  solemn,  and  the 
children  appeared  to  be  much  affected."  This  was  no 
peculiar  occurrence — it  was  only  a  single  instance  of 
what  was  usually,  and  almost  uniformly,  witnessed  at 
these  interesting  meetings.  So  interesting,  indeed,  they 
soon  became,  tiiat  the  school4iouse  would  not  contain  the 
numbers  of  which  they  were  composed,  and  they  were 
therefore  transferred  from  that  house  to  the  church. 

It  was  natural  for  Mr.  E.  when  he  found  a  crowd  of 
attentive  listeners  at  these  meetings,  originally  intended 
chiefly  for  children  and  youth,  to  make  his  address  to  the 
adult  part  of  his  audience  longer  and  more  particular  than 
he  did,  or  perhaps  ever  thought  of  doing,  at  the  first. 
Many  of  his  hearers,  moreover,  had  no  regular  connexion 
with  any  religious  society :  some  of  them  seldom,  if  ever, 
attended  any  other  place  of  worship,  and  were  not  only 
extremely  ignorant  of  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  the 
gospel,  but,  till  now,  utterly  careless,  in  the  matter  of 
their  souPs  salvation.  On  seeing  a  crovtrd  of  this  descrip- 
tion, attentive  and  serious,  who  could  censure  him  for 
extending  his  address  to  them,  into  a  discourse,  equal  to 
a  sermon  in  length  ?  But  his  error  was,  and  it  must  not 
be  disguised,  that  he  gradually  diminished  his  attention 
to  the  youthful  part  of  his  audience,  till  at  length  he 
almost,  or  altogether,  passed  them  by,  took  a  text,  and 
made  as  regular  a  discourse  as  he  was  capable  of,  to  the 
promiscuous  assembly  which  filled  the  small  church  in 
which  his  addresses  were  made.  It  was  at  that  time, 
and  it  still  is,  the  conviction  of  the  writer,  that  Mr.  E. 


;!    * 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


37 


would  probably  have  done  more  good,  had  he  adhered 
to  the  original  plan,  with  no  other  change  than  a  length- 
ening of  the  concluding  address;  instead  of  suffering  that 
address  gradually  to  supplant  the  catechetical  instruction, 
and  special  pious  admonition  of  the  your^. 

This  change  of  plan,  which  was  made,  and  for  some 
time  continued,  without  the  knowledge  or  suspicion  of 
the  pastor  of  the  church,  was,  when  he  became  acquaint- 
ed with  it,  the  cause  of  considerable  uneasiness.  It  was 
also  disapproved  by  the  most  discreet  and  judicious  mem- 
bers of  the  congr^ation ;  but  it  was  extremely  popular 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Campington  church,  and  with 
some  others  who  resorted  to  it  statedly,  on  the  evening 
of  the  sabbath.  The  writer  recollects,  and  indeed  has 
found  the  time  noted  in  his  diary,  that  with  a  view  to 
ascertain  from  personal  obser\'ation,  whether,  besides 
their  irregularity,  there  was  any  thing  exceptionable  in 
the  addresses  of  Mr.  £.,  be  attended  one  of  these  meet- 
ings, and  took  care  to  mingle  with  the  crowd,  in  such  a 
manner  as  not  to  be  observed.  The  experiment  satisfied 
him  fully,  that  the  discourses  of  Mr.  E.,  although  in  a 
measure  immethodical  and  unconnected,  w^ere  still  found 
in  doctrine,  and  well  calculated  to  benefit  his  liearers. 
Under  this  conviction,  and  considering  the  destitute  state 
of  the  people,  and  the  influence  which  Mr.  E.  had  over 
them,  no  interference  was  attempted — it  was  believed  to 
be  not  only  injudicious,  but,  in  the  circumstances  of  the 
case,  absolutely  inconsistent  with  Christian  duty.  It  was 
also  expected,  that  when  an  additional  pastor  of  the  col- 
legiate church  should  be  chosen,  which  was  then  believed 
to  be  near  at  hand,  and  which  shortly  after  took  place  in 
fact,  these  irregular  exercises  would,  in  that  place  at 
least,  be  terminated  as  a  matter  of  course.  ^ 


;! 


■T         ^?(i*^|*¥«<^i*  *^i#    (     38     )    •    ^''  «-.rf*^*«* 


/ 


S- 


m    f 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Unhappy  consequences  of  Mr.  Bastburn'^s  acting  as  a  cate- 
chist  and  exhorter  without  a  regular  designation ;  the 
manner  in  which  the  evil  was  arrested;  Mr,  E.^s  cx- 
amination  and  qtialijicd  licensure  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Philadelphia,  ^ 

In  an  early  part  of  the  summer  of  1 799,  a  collegiate 
pastor  of  the  church  to  which  Mr.  Eastburn  belonged, 
was  ordained ;  and  public  worship  was,  in  consequence, 
regularly  celebrated,  twice  on  the  sabbath — at  Camping- 
ton,  as  well  as  in  tlie  associated  church  in  the  city.  The 
urgency,  therefore,  which  had  led  to  Mr.  E.'s  employ- 
ment as  a  catechist  and  an  exhorter,  was  now  terminated. 
But  his  labors  had  been  so  acceptable,  and  so  evidently 
blessed,  thaj;  he  thought  he  ought  not  to  discontinue  them; 
and  for  the  same  reason,  his  pastors  were  reluctant  to 
attempt  to  lay  him  under  any  restriction.  He  therefore 
continued,  for  nearly  six  years,  to  exhort  on  the  evenings 
of  the  Lord's  day  and  at  some  other  times,  both  in  the 
Northern  Liberties  of  the  city  and  in  several  othef  places. 
Toward  the  latter  part  of  this  period,  the  ill  effects  of 
Mr.  E.'s  appearing  as  a  public  teacher,  without  any  regu- 
lar call  or  appointment  to  such  an  ofiice,  became  pam- 
fully  manifest.  Several  individuals,  utterly  unqualified 
to  teach  and  admonish  others,  became  exhorters  and 
leaders  in  religious  meetings ;  and  considered  themselves 
entitled  to  assume  these  characters,  in  consequence  of 
being  able  to  plead  the  example  of  Mr.  E.  The  evil 
was  increasing,  and  the  embarrassment  it  occasioned  to 
the  pastors  of  the  church  to  which  these  unauthorized 
teachers  chiefly  belonged,  was  not  small.  To  endeavor 
to  arrest  the  evil  by  an  explicit  prohibition,  would,  it 
was  thought,  hazard  the  peace  of  the  congregation ;  and 
to  suffer  it  to  proceed,  seemed  inconsistent  with  a. faith- 
ful discharge  of  duty.  In  these  circumstances  the  ir- 
regularity was  corrected,  in  a  manner  which  the  writer 
of  these  memoirs  has  always  considered  as  peculiarly 
providential,  and  as  laying  him  under  special  obligation 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


39 


to  divine  grace  and  goodness.  The  facts  were  as  fol- 
lows— The  writer  had  been  so  occupied  in  the  course 
of  a  certain  week,  that  Saturday  had  arrived,  without 
his  having  even  selected  a  text  for  a  discourse  on  the 
following  day.  On  opening  the  New  Testament  with  a 
view  to  such  a  selection,  one  of  the  first  passages  that 
met  his  eye,  was  Gal.  vi.  3 — ^''  For  if  a  man  think  him- 
self to  be  something,  when  he  is  nothing,  he  deceiveth 
himself.^^  The  determination  was  immediately  formed 
to  discourse  on  theB«^  words,  and  to  show  how,  in  re- 
ligious concerns,  this  text  is  verified,  in  a  variety  of  in- 
stances. Five  such  instances  occurred,  and  were  rapidly 
minuted  down,  before  the  connexion  of  the  text  was  care- 
fully examined,  or  a  commentator  consulted.  On  look- 
ing into  Doddridge,  it  appeared  that,  in  his  opinion,  the 
words  were  specially  mtended  as  "a  caution  against 
vainglory  and  an  overweening  opinion  of  ourselves  ;^* 
and  in  a  note  he  states  it  to  be  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Locke, 
that  the  following  verse  has  a  particular  reference  to 
false  teachers.  This  immediately  suggested  that  a  sixth 
particular  might  consist,  in  an  application  of  the  text  to 
those  who  take  on  themselves  the  office  of  public  teachers 
of  religion,  without  either  qualifications  for,  or  call  to 
such  an  office.  But  it  was  speedily  resolved  to  omit 
this,  lest,  in  the  particular  circumstances  of  the  congre- 
gation, the  contemplated  application  might  appear  to  be 
too  pointed,  and  thus  be  productive  of  disturbance.  To 
this  resolution,  however,  the  pastor,  on  a  little  reflection, 
found  he  could  not  adhere.  The  words — "  not  handling 
the  word  of  God  deceitfully,"  flashed  on  his  mind,  with 
a  force  which  almost  made  him  tremble.  He  saw  that 
if  the  text  he  had  chosen  rendered  the  particular  in  ques- 
tion peculiarly  applicable  to  his  charge,  this  was  so  far 
from  furnishing  a  reason  for  the  omission  of  that  paii:icu- 
lar,  that  it  formed  an  imperious  demand  that  it  should  be 
retained,  and  be  distinctly  and  prominently  presented. 
It  was  accordingly  retained,  and  made  the  last  of  the  se- 
ries. The  efTect  was  salutary  beyond  all  expectation. 
The  impression  produced  by  this  discourse  was  power- 
ful, and  yet,  so  far  as  was  ever  known  to  the  pastor,  not 
offensive.     The  unqualified  exhorters  never  again,  it  is 


^1 


■*l 


Hi  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTRURN. 

believed,  attempted  to  speak  in  public.  But  on  the 
Wednesday  morning  following,  Mr.  Eastburn  came  to  his 
pastor,  and  in  a  long  conversation  opened  his  mind  freely. 
lie  said  that  the  sermon  he  had  heard  on  the  sabbath, 
had  deprived  him  of  sleep,  and  had  led  him  to  close  self- 
examination.  He  appeared  to  be  particularly  distressed 
with  the  apprehension,  that  he  had  been  *^  thinking  him- 
self to  be  something,  while  he  was^  nothing."  Such,  he 
was  told  in  reply,  was  not  the  estimate  made  of  him  by 
the  preacher,  either  when  the  sermon  was  delivered,  or 
at  any  other  time ;  but  on  the  contrary,  that  he  was  be- 
lieved to  be  qualified  to  do  good,  and  that  he  had  done 
good,  by  taking  the  lead  in  social  exercises  of  religion ; 
still  that  it  should  be  our  care  to  do  good  in  such  a  way 
as  not  to  do  harm  at  the  same  time ;  and  that  he  could 
not  but  be  sensible  that  his  example  had  furnished  a 
plausible  pretext,  for  some  who  were  wholly  unfit  to  dis- 
course publicly  to  others  on  the  gre'-.£  doctrines  of  the 
word  of  God,  to  assume  the  awful  responsibility  of  doing 
it.  The  result  was,  that  he  threw  himself  entirely  on 
his  pastor  to  direct  him  how  to  act ;  and  was  promised 
that  his  case  should  receive  the  most  serious  and  de- 
liberate consideration.  This  conversation,  which  lasted 
from  early  in  the  morning  till  one  oVlock,  took  place,  as 
appears  from  the  writer's  diary,  on  the  1 2th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1804,  and  the  writer  has  often  looked  back  to  the 
circumstances  which  led  to  it,  and  tne  consequences 
which  followed  it,  as  furnishing  for  him  a  subject  for 
humble  gratitude  to  God — gratitude  that  he  was,  with- 
out plan  or  design  on  his  part,  in  a  sort  compelled  to  do 
that  which  not  only  arrested  the  progress  of  evil,  but 
opened  the  way  for  the  eminent  and  extensive  usefulness 
of  the  holy  man  whose  memoirs  he  is  now  writing. 

It  was  so  ordered  in  providence,  that  about  four  years 
before  the  occurrence  just  stated,  a  plan  had  been  devis- 
ed for  providing  a  chaplain,  of  the  Presbyterian  denomi- 
nation, for  the  jail,  hospital,  and  bettering-house  of  the 
city  of  Philadelphia.  This  plan,  with  some  considera- 
tions urging  its  adoption,  had  been  printed  in  a  pamphlet 
form,  and  distributed  among  those  who,  it  was  supposed, 
were  hkely  to  favor  it  and  render  it  effective.    But  no 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


41 


suitable  candidate  for  the  deficiency  could  be  named) 
and  hence  the  whole  plan  met  with  opposition  from 
some,  and  with  indifference  from  many;  and  the  present 
writer,  by  whom  it  had  been  drawn  up,  had  already  con- 
sidered his  attempt  as  finally  abortive,  when  he  found 
himself  pledged  to  consider  the  case  of  Mr.  Eastbum, 
and  advise  bim  as  to  the  course  he  ought  to  pursue.  It 
did  not  require  much  meditation  to  thmk  of  him  as  a  fit 
person,  and  in  some  respects  the  fittest  that  could  be 
found,  to  act  as  a  chaplain  to  the  public  and  charitable  in- 
stitutions which  have  been  mentioned.  The  management 
of  those  institutions  was  much  in  the  hands  and  under  the 
influence  of  the  Friends  or  Quakers ;  and  with  them  the 
very  circumstance  that  Mr.  E.  was  not  a  regular  clergy- 
man of  the  Presbyterian  church,  would  render  his  stated 
access  to  these  establishments  more  easy  and  acceptable, 
than  if  he  had  been  clothed  with  the  regular  clerical 
character.  With  others,  also,  who  had  been  hostile  or 
indifferent  to  the  plan  first  proposed,  Mr.  £.  was  highly 
popular ;  and  that  he  was  admirably  qualified  to  perform 
the  duties  of  a  chaplain  to  those  who  were  in  a  state  of 
suffering,  whether  through  misfortune  or  crime,  was  ad- 
mitted by  all.  Afler,  therefore,  consulting  with  a  num- 
ber of  his  friends,  and  finding  that  Mr.  E.  ^as  cordially 
willing. to  accept  of  the  appointment  contemplated,  the 
writer  determined  to  endeavor  to  obtain  in  his  behalf, 
from  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  a  designation  to  the 
duties  of  a  chaplaincy;  with  a  license  also,  to  exhort  and 
pray  with  Christian  assemblies  generally,  as  opportunity 
might  offer.  Accordingly,  the  memorial  recited  in  the 
minute  of  the  Presbytery,  which  will  presently  appear, 
was  drawn  up,  and  subscribed  by  a  number  of  influential 
individuals.  During  the  interval  between  Dec.  12th, 
1 804,  and  May,  1 805,  the  impression  of  the  writer  is  (but 
without  a  distinct  recollection)  that  Mr.  E.  did  not  oflen, 
if  ever,  address  promiscuous  assemblies ;  but  confined  him- 
self chiefly  to  taking  a  leading  part  in  meetings  for  prayer 
and  religious  conference,  to  the  visitation  of  the  sick,  and 
to  conversations  with  individuals  whose  minds  were  se- 
riously exercised  in  regard  to  their  spiritual  state. 
The  following  extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  Presby- 


■t^' 


!^ 


'tt 


r 


W'-         MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 

teiy  of  Philadelphia,  will  sufficiently  explain  the  whole 
process  by  which  Mr.  £.  was  regularly  authorized  to  per- 
form the  duties  of  a  religious  teacher,  the  conditions  and 
limitations  under  which  the  authority  was  granted,  and 
the  examination  to  which  he  was  subjected  when  the  grant 
was  made.  The  Presbytery  was  remarkably  harmonious 
in  all  the  discussions  which  took  place  at  the  time,  and 
entirely  unanimous  in  the  result — A  venerable  member, 
now  deceased,  remarked  to  the  writer,  after  the  adjourn- 
ment, that  he  thought  a  divine  influence  had  most  sensibly 
pervaded  the  judicature  of  the  church  on  this  interesting 
occasion.        ,  ..  . 


i-B 


"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  May 
the  14th,  1805— 

**  Present  Drs.  Green  and  Blair;  Messrs.  Irwin,  Daven- 
port, Russel,  Miiredoler,  Latta,  Boyd,  Potts,  and  Jane- 
way,  ministefs. 

**A  memorial  signed  by  a  number  of  members  of 
several  Presbyterian  congregations  in  Philadelphia,  was 
brought  in,  read^  and  is  as  follows — 

" '  To.  the  Reverend  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia, 
"  *  We  the  undernamed  inhabitants  of  Philadelphia  and 
the  liberties  thereof,  beg  leave  to  lay  before  Presbytery 
the  following  memorial,  viz. 

*^  *■  We  represent  that  the  circumstances  of  those  who 
are  confined  in  the  Bettering-House,  Gaol,  and  Hospital 
of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  in  being  deprived  of  the  in- 
structions and  consolations  of  religion,  are  calculated 
deeply  to  affect  the  minds  of  those  who  suitably  estimate 
the  value  of  evangelical  truth,  and  know  the  worth  of 
immortal  souls.  Influenced  by  the  consideration  of  these 
circumstances,  a  number  of  the  ministers  and  other  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  churches  in  Philadelphia,  did, 
about  four  years  since,  devise  and  endeavor  to  execute, 
a  plan  for  committing  to  a  regular  Presbyterian  minister, 
the  charge  of  the  unhappy  people  in  the  public  establish- 
ments mentioned.  This  plan  is  herewith  submitted  to  the 
Presbytery,  that  our  views  and  designs,  and  the  reason 
which  in  our  opinion  justify  them,  may  the  more  distinctly 


^STBVRN. 

plain  the  whole 
ithorized  to  per- 
i  conditioiM  and 
as  granted,  and 
t  when  the  grant 
ibly  harmonious 
it  the  time,  and 
erable  member, 
ler  the  adjoum- 
id  most  sensibly 
this  interesting 


iladelphia,  May 

.  Irwin,  Daren- 
otts,  and  Jane- 

f  members   of 
iladelphia,  was 


MEMOIRS  OP  THB  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


43 


appear.    For  though  we  do  not  propose  exactly  to  adopt 
the  plan  which  is  exhibited  in  the  printed  pamphlet,  yet 
the  considerations  by  which  it  is  supported,  are  those 
which  still  influence  us. — But  we  beg  leave  to  remark, 
that  the  plan,  thus  exhibited  to  the  Presbytery,  was  not 
carried  into  effect  at  the  time  it  was  devised  and  printed, 
principally  because  a  suitable  and  popular  candidate,  for 
taking  the  charge  of  the  establishments  in  question,  could 
not  be  held  up  to  those  who  were  requested  to  subscribe 
for  his  support;  and  till  the  present  hour  the  whole  busi- 
ness has  been  suspended,  for  this  reason.     In  the  mean 
time  the  ministers  and  members  of  various  religious  de- 
nominations have  occasionally  visited  the  Bettering-House 
and  the  Gaol,  and  spoken  to  the  people  who  are  there 
confined.     Among  those  wlio  have  performed  these  acts 
of  religious  charity,  none  has  been  so  assiduous  as  Mr. 
Joseph  Eastbum,  a  member  in  flill  communion  with  the 
2d  Presbyterian  congregation  of  this  city,  and  none,  we 
truly  think,  could  be  nK>re  acceptable  or  useful  than  he. 
We  do,  therefore,  with  all  deference  to  the  reverend 
Presbytery,  respectfully  submit  it  to  their  very  serious 
consideration,  whether  it  might  not  be  highly  advanta- 
geous to  the  interests  of  religion,  if  the  said  Mr.  Eastburn 
should  be  by  them  appointed  a  catechist  or  evangelist, 
for  the  express  purpose  of  taking  the  chaise,  under  their 
direction,  of  the  Bettering-House,  Hospital,  and  Gaol  of 
this  city ;  with  permission,  also,  as  occasional  opportuni- 
ties might  offer,  of  speaking  to  others  on  the  great  sub- 
jects of  religion.  It  is,  no  doubt,  well  known  to  the  Pres- 
bytery, as  it  is  to  the  undersigned,  that  Mr.  Eastburn  has 
been,  for  some  years,  in  the  practice  of  exhorting  smaller 
or  larger  assemblies  of  the  people  on  the  concerns  of  their 
souls,  and  that  his  labours  have  been  very  acceptable  to 
many.     If  he  should  receive  authority  from  the  Presby- 
tery to  continue  this  practice,  with  the  special  designa- 
tion of  the  public  institutions  mentioned,  as  his  particu- 
lar charge,  and  under  the  control  of  the  Presbytery, 
would  it  not  rather  prevent,  than  become  a  precedent  for, 
the  violation  of  the  established  order  of  our  church  ? 
Could  it  be  pleaded  as  a  precedent  for  introducing  men 
into  the  ministry,  indiscriminately,  without  those  hterary 

E 


'IJ 


,  '^;' 


i::-'  • 


'ri 


5     -jlf 


^ 


44 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBT7RN. 


qualifications,  or  that  regular  process  of  trial,  usually  de- 
manded ?  Would  it  not  rather  be  analogous  to  what  other 
Presbyteries  have  lately  done,  and  the  General  Assembly 
approved  ?  This  we  fully  submit  to  the  wisdom  of  the 
rresbytery;  being  ourselves  sincerely  attached  to  the 
excellent  order  established  on  this  subject  generally,  by 
the  constitution  of  our  church.  We  have,  on  the  whole, 
nothing  further  to  add,  but  that  we  know  that  Mr.  East- 
bum  is  so  well  esteemed  in  the  city,  that  the  appointment 
we  surest  would  immediately  render  practicable  the 
plan  for  supplying  the  institutions  in  question  with  regular 
religious  instruction  and  visitation ;  that  his  acceptance 
among  other  denominations  is  such,  that  he  would  be 
likely  to  obtain  their  countenance  and  approbation  in 
this  work ;  that  the  very  circumstance  of  his  not  being 
a  regularly  ordained  clei^yman  of  our  church,  would  of 
itseli  facilitate  his  entrance  into  the  institutions  contem- 
plated ;  and  that  if  Presbytery,  as  we  hope  may  be  the 
case,  shall  find  their  way  clear  to  authorize  him  to  take 
the  charge  of  these  establishments,  we  the  undersigned 
are  ready  to  use  our  endeavors  to  obtain  for  him  such  a 
salary  as  may  enable  turn  to  devote  his  time  to  this  im- 
portant work.' 

^Philadelphia,  Ma^/^  1805.'  ;.    >i 

"  This  memorial  was  made  the  subject  of  much  delib- 
eration, inquiry,  and  discussion. — In  the  course  of  which 
it  appeared,  that  Mr.  Eastburn,  to  whom  the  memorial 
refers,  has  received  baptism  for  himself  in  adult  age, 
though  he  had  been  baptized  in  infancy ;  and  was  still 
disposed  to  consider  infant  baptism  in  a  different  light 
from  that  in  which  it  is  viewed  by  our  church,  though  he 
has  always  remained  in  communion  with  that  church,  and 
shown  no  disposition  to  uige  his  peculiar  sentiments  on 
others.  On  the  whole,  after  a  careful  consideration  of  the 
case,  the  Presbytery,  feeling  most  sensibly  the  import  ince 
of  providing  for  the  religious  instruction  and  assistance 
of  the  unhappy  persons  confined  in  the  places  mentioned 
in  the  memorial,  and  desirous  at  the  same  time  to  do  no- 
thing contrary  to  the  principles  and  usage  of  the  Presby- 
terian church,  determined  to  specify  distinctly  the  cpndi 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURff. 


46 


tions  on  which  they  would  agree  to  take  Mr.  Eastbum 
under  their  patronage.  These  conditions  were  the 
following — 

*^  1.  That  he  adopt  the  Confession  of  Faith,  catechisms, 
government,  and  discipline  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
(the  article  of  baptism  alone  excepted)  and  agree  to  walk 
by  them  as  the  rule  of  his  faith  and  practice. 

^^  2.  That  he  be  willing  to  engage,  and  do  engage,  that 
on  the  subject  of  baptism  (retaining  his  own  sentiments) 
he  will  leave  those  with  whom  he  may  have  intercourse, 
in  the  undisturbed  possession  of  their  creed  and  opinions; 
and  that  whenever  applications  shall  be  made  to  him  in 
regard  to  baptism,  he  will  direct  the  applicants  to  some 
regularly  ordained  minister, 

"  3.  That  in  receiving  from  this  Presbytery  authority  to 
teach,  he  do  not  consider  himself  a  candidate  for  the  pas* 
toral  office. 

^^  4.  That  he  agree  to  submit,  in  the  discharge  of  his 
duty,  to  the  directions  that  shall  from  time  to  time  be 
given  him  by  Presbytery. 

"  5.  That  the  authority  to  teach  which  may  be  confer- 
red, shall  cease  whenever  the  Presbytery,  or  Mr.  East- 
burn,  shall  judge  its  continuance  to  be  no  longer  ex- 
pedient. 

"  6.  That  in  the  execution  of  the  trust  that  may  be  con- 
ferred by  Presbytery,  it  be  understood  that  he  will  in  all 
respects  endeavor  to  avoid  giving  offence,  by  taking 
care  not  to  violate  unnecessarily  the  sentiments  and 
opinions  of  those  among  whom  he  may  be  called  to  la- 
bor, and  by  the  exercise  of  an  exemplary  humility,  pru- 
dence, and  condescension. 

"  Mr.  Eastbum  was  then  introduced  to  the  Presbytery, 
and  the  above  conditions  were  twice  read,  and  he  fully 
agreed  to  each  and  all  of  them  as  reasonable  and  proper, 
and  as  forming  the  system  by  which  he  would  act  in  the 
execution  of  the  trust  which  the  Presbytery  might  com- 
mit to  him,  in  consequence  of  the  prayer  of  the  memorial. 

"  Presbytery  then  conversed  with  Mr.  Eastbum  on  his 
experimental  acquaintance  with  religion,  and  questioned 
him  on  some  of  the  leading  truths  and  doctrines  of  the 


H 


■|   H 


111 

!:[ 


y 


■'"  (h 


Bl   [i    I 


41    :: 


'M 


48 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


Christian  system,  and  having  obtained  entire  satisfaction 
on  these  subjects,  came  to  the  following  resolution,  viz.' 

"  Resolved^  That  Mr.  Joseph  Eastburn  be,  and  he  is 
hereby  authorized,  to  explain  and  discourse  on  the  sacred 
scriptures*  to  catechise  and  exhort  in  the  Gaol,  Aims- 
House,  and  Hospital,  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  also, 
as  occasional  opportunities  may  offer,  to  speak  to  collec- 
tions of  people  m  other  places,  on  the  concerns  of  their 
souls. 

*'  Ordered,  that  the  stated  clerk  furnish  Mr.  Eastburn 
with  an  attested  copy  of  the  preceding  memorial,  and  of 
the  subsequent  proceedings  of  Presbytery  relative  to  him. 

"  Extract  from  the  Minutes  of  the  Presbytery  of  Phila- 
delphia. 

«  George  C.  Potts,  Stated  Clerk:' 


':% ' 


;^' 


CHAPTER  V. 


His  license  entirely  satisfactory  to  himself- — his  fidelity 
and  success  in  the  Hospital^  Alms-House^  and  Prison  of 

A  Philadelphia — his  labors,  various  and  incessant,  and 
acceptable  to  different  denominations — he  is  principally 

i  instrume7ital  in. forming  a  congregation — death  of  his 

'''-  wife,  and  entire  relinquishment  of  his  mechanical  busi- 
ness— becomes  stated  preacher  to  the  Mariners, 

The  resolution  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  al- 
reody  recited,  formed  the  license,  or  conveyed  the  eccle- 
siastical authority,  under  wliich  Mr.  Eastburn  performed 
his  ministerial  services  to  the  end  of  his  life,  a  period  of 
about  four-and-tw^enty  years.  The  conditions  on  which 
he  accepted  the  office  of  a  religious  teacher,  imposed  on 
him  no  irksome  restraint;  for  it  is  believed  they  were  not 
different  from  those  which  he  would  have  chosen,  if  the 
choice  had  been  wholly  left  to  himself.  It  is  not  known 
that  he  ever  desired  to  sustain  the  pastoral  relation,  or  to 
administer  the  sacraments,  or  to  share  in  the  government 
of  the  church,  or  to  change  the  sentiments  of  an  indivi- 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


47 


dual  on  the  subject  of  baptism.  To  proclaim  the  mes- 
sages of  salvation — ^to  impress  the  momentous  truths  of 
the  gospel  on  the  hearts  and  consciences  of  careless  sin- 
ners, to  guide  inquiring  souls  to  the  Saviour,  and  to  edify 
the  people  of  God  by  privite,  v.  well  as  by  public  dis- 
course, appears  to  have  comprised  all  that  he  wished,  and 
all  for  which  he  considered  himself  as  qualified ;  and  fts 
this  was  a  field -of  usefulness  as  ample  as  he  probably  had 
any  inclination  to  enter,  so  it  is  certain  that  in  this  he  la- 
bored with  a  most  exemplary  diligence,  and  a  most  un- 
usual success. 

His  first  special  designation  was  to  those  who  were 
confined  in  the  three  public  establishments  which  are 
mentioned  in  the  memorial  presented  to  the  Presbytery ; 
and  the  assiduity  and  tenderness  could  scarcely  be  ex- 
ceeded, with  which  he  endeavored  by  every  mean  in  his 
power  to  promote  the  spiritual  welfare  of  these  children 
of  poverty,  misfortune,  or  crime.  He  visited  them  often ; 
he  instructed  and  counselled  them;  he  reproved  some 
and  encouraged  others ;  he  was  found  at  the  bedside  of 
the  sick,  the  maimed,  and  the  dying;  he  sympathized  with 
all,  and  as  frequently  and  fully  as  opportunity  would  per- 
mit, he  united  with  them  in  social  woi'ship,  and  preached 
to  them  with  zeal  and  fidelity.  All  this  will  best  appear 
from  some  of  his  own  statements. 

The  following  connected  narratives  were  found  among 
his  manuscripts. 

^>  I  am  requested  to  keep  in  writing  the  case  of  a 
woman  that  had  been  confined  in  one  of  the  cells  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Hospital — which  is  as  follows.  As  I  was 
passing  the  place,  I  heard  the  most  plaintive  voice,  crying 
*  Oh!  my  burden  is  too  heavy  for  me  to  bear!  My  sins  are 
too  great  to  be  forgiven.'  I  called  aloud  to  her — *  if  your 
burden  is  ever  so  heavy,  Jesus  invites  you  to  come  to 
him,  and  he  will  give  you  rest;  and  if  your  sins  are  ever 
so  great,  he  can  freely  pardon  them  all.'  She  immediately 
called  me  by  name,  and  desired  me  to  open  the  door 
(which  I  could  not  do)  but  inquired  where  she  had  known 
me.  She  said  it  was  when  I  kept  meeting  in  the  Northern 
Liberties,  and  had  many  children  about  me — ^that  she 
was  one  of  them,  and  that  those  were  her  happy  days. 

£  2 


48 


BIEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


II  El 


m 


'I 


..'l 


f 


She  said  if  she  had  only  gone  on  to  serve  the  Lord  as 
she  did  then,  she  might  have  been  happy.  But  she  did 
not — and  now  she  was  shut  up  in  that  dismal  place.  My 
mind  was  much  affected  to  hear  the  poor  creature  thus 
exclaim;  but  shortly  after,  she  made  her  escape  at  mid- 
night, and  went  to  her  home.  I  visited  her  there,  and 
found  hermind  more  composed.  Buther  friends  did  not  like 
that  any  one  should  speak  to  her,  or  that  she  should  go  to 
any  place  of  worship ;  and  if  she  did,  they  would  shut  her 
out  of  doors  all  night.  But  the  Lord  had  pity  on  her,  and 
called  her  to  his  blessed  home,  *  where  the  wicked  cease 
from  troubling,  and  where  the  weary  are  at  rest.'  When 
she  was  near  her  end,  she  sent  for  me,  and  with  pleasure 
told  me  what  the  Lord  had  done  for  her  souj.  She  had 
a  full  assurance  of  her  eternal  happiness,  through  a 
precious  Saviour,  and  hoped  to  meet  me  in  heaven.  As  I 
was  then  going  a  journey,  I  saw  her  no  more — she  died 
while  I  was  away,  ^m  '  <"    -        v        . 

r  The  Lord  can  make  the  way-faring,  though  fools,  wise 

to  salvation. 

This  has  encouraged  me  to  pay  attention  to  the  poor 
deranged  people  in  the  Hospital ;  and  I  now  record  some 
things  more  which  took  place  there.  Going  into  a  ward 
where  many  of  them  were  together,  an  elderly  gentleman 
who  had  been  long  there  cried  out — '  What,  sir,  are  you 
come  to  preach  to  us  again?'  I  replied,  *Yes,  sir,  if  you 
will  please  to  come  into  another  ward  and  hear — I  have 
no  authority  to  compel  you.'  'But  you  have,'  replied 
another.  *  Does  not  your  Lord  and  master  command  you 
to  go  out  to  the  highways  and  hedges,  and  compel  sinners 
to  come  to  him  ?'  I  replied,  *  That  is  true,  my  friend,  and 
will  you  come?' — *I  surely  will,'  said  he:  and  many  of 
them  did  attend  worship  at  that  time.  I  took  for  my  text 
the  words — 'Compel  them  to  come  in.'  He  who  men- 
tioned them  appeared  much  engaged,  and  entreated  me 
to  go  to  their  ward  again,  which  I  did.  He  soon  after  re- 
covered his  use  of  reason,  and  was  set  at  liberty. 

At  another  time,  some  of  the  doctors  wished  to  see 
what  effect  it  might  have  upon  some  that  were  quite  bad, 
to  bring  them  in.    A  number  were  accordingly  brought 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


49 


and  placed  before  me — one  with  his  hat  covered  with 
dirty  feathers,  which  he  had  picked  up.  Some  of  them 
appeared  very  uneasy,  and  kept  stamping  and  looking 
very  wild  at  me  and  others — one  figuring  m  the  sand  on 
the  floor,  and  then  looking  at  me,  as  though  he  were 
taking  a  likeness.  This  drew  the  attention  of  the  people 
who  were  in  their  senses,  so  much,  that  I  thought  our 
meeting  would  be  broken  up.  I  tried  to  keep  my  mind 
composed,  and  to  beg  the  Lord  to  direct  me  what  to  do. 
J  thought  it  would  be  best  to  surprise  them ;  and  I  jumped 
up  suddenly  before  them,  and  csdled  upon  Uiem  to  attend, 
telling  them  we  had  come  there  to  worship  Him  that 
made  us,  and  had  given  us  our  reason  at. first,  and  could 
restore  it  to  those  who  had  lost  it;  that  we  did  not  know 
what  he  might  do  for  us,  if  we  should  sincerely  pray;  and 
now,  said  I,  if  you  will  be  quite  still,  we  will  endeavor 
to  pray.  They  saw  me  go  upon  my  knees,  and  to  the 
surprise  of  all,  they  immediately  kneeled  dowt),  aod 
the  feathered  hat  was  thrown  aside»  .  After  prayer,  they 
all  rose  and  sat  down,  looking  earnestly  at  me,  acid  re- 
mained quiet  until  all  were  dismissed.  Some  time  after, 
the  steward,  Mr.  Francis  Higgins,  desired  to  know  if  I 
would  be  willing  he  should  bring  a  man  out  of  a  cell  into 
the  meeting.  I  told  him,  if  he  could  be  kept  in  order  I 
was  willing.  He  then  brought  him- — ^a  very  large  man. 
I  went  up  to  him  and  welcomed  him  to  take  a  seat  They 
then  brought  another,  very  bad,  and  put  this  man  by  the 
side  of  the  first — The  second  man  began  to  shuffle  and 
make  a  noise,  on  which  the  first  seized  lum  fast  by  his 
knees,  and  told,  him  he  must  be  perfectly  still  there,  and 
kept  him  in  order  all  the  time  of  worship,  and  did  not 
move  himself,  except  when  I  was  speaking  of  what  the 
blessed  Saviour  had  done  for  poor  sinners — ^how  many 
dreadful  cases  he  had  relieved — ^he  then  clasped  the  other 
round  the  neck,  as  if  he  wished  they  might  be  benefited 
also ;  and  after  worship  went  quietly  to  his  cell  again. 

A  woman  called  at  my  house,  desiring  I  would  speak 
to  a  friend  of  hers,  confined  in  one  of  the  cells.  I  inquired 
for  her,  and  was  told  she  was  so  unreasonable  it  would 
be  in  vain  to  say  any  thing  to  her.  I  observed  I  would 
wish  to  comply  with  the  request  of  my  friend.    They 


i.tnii|i    t 


1 


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i 


II  : 


i  ' 


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>^ 


m 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


then  went  and  put  some  decent  clothes  on  her,  and  in- 
vited me  to  go  in.  She  cried  out — *  I  do  not  know  that 
man/  True,  said  T,  but  you  know  such  a  lady.  She,  I 
said,  desired  me  to  come  and  see  you.  She  then  began  to 
measure  the  shawl  they  had  put  on  her  with  her  knuckles, 
as  fast  as  she  could.  Why,  said  I,  do  you  that?  *I  must, 
I  must,'  was  the  answer,* for  I  am  a  great  sinner.'  So  am 
I,  was  the  reply,  but  I  am  come  to  tell  you  about  a  great 
Saviour,  who  is  able  to  save  you  and  me.  She  then  stop- 
ped, and  sat  as  still  as  was  possible  for  any  one  to  do,  and 
listened  to  all  that  I  said  without  uttering  another  word. 
In  a  short  time  after  she  came  to  herself,  so  far  as  to  leave 
the  Hospital,  and  took  lodgings  for  herself;  and  then  de- 
sired to  see  me.  I  found  her  composed  and  solemn.  She 
desired  me  to  pray  and  return  thanks  with  her;  and  when 
she  rose  up  to  go  to  prayer,  she  lifted  up  her  hands  and 
said — *0  Lord,  help  me  to  unite  with  thy  servant  now 
i«  prayer,'  and  then  fell  upon  her  knees. 

Dr.  Rush  desired  me  to  visit  a  patient  of  his,  also,  in 
one  of  the  cells.  The  gentleman  was  much  distressed,  and 
complained  that  he  was  worse  tliain  a  brute ;  that  he  could 
not  act  as  a  rational  creature ;  that  when  he  eat  he  was 
so  ravenous  that  he  was  shocked  at  himself — he  was  very 
melancholy.  Visiting  him  on  a  Sabbath  day,  he  inquired 
if  I  was  not  about  to  have  worship  in  some  part  of  the 
Hospital.  I  told  him  I  was.  He  requested  to  attend  with 
us.  The  steward  observed,  it  was  contrary  to  his  orders 
to  let  him  come  out  of  his  cell.  The  gentleman  said,  if 
Dr.  Rush  was  there,  he  would  let  him  come.  At  that 
very  instant,  unexpectedly  to  him  or  any  of  us,  the  doc- 
tor appeared,  passing  the  cell  door.  He  called  out,  *  Oh, 
Doctor,  shall  I  not  be  permitted  to  go  to  meeting  here?' 
Certainly,  replied  the  doctor.  He  appeared  oveijoyed, 
and  attended  with  great  apparent  devotion ;  and  after- 
ward entreated  me  to  go  back  with  him  to  his  place, 
which  I  did,  and  often  tried  to  encourage  him.  He  had 
not  been  allowed  any  book  before,  but  now  earnestly 
desired  to  have  a  Bible,  which  was  allowed  him.  But 
his  constitution  was  very  weak,  and  he  gradually  declined 
in  body,  until  nature  sunk.    He  was  not  able,  as  far  as  I 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


51 


could  fincl,  to  say  any  thing  about  the  state  of  his  mind, 
until  death  closed  the  scene. 

Doctor  Rush  also  desired  me  to  visit  a  Doctor,  who 
had  come  from  the  West  Indies  in  a  consumption,  seeking 
the  advice  of  physicians,  and  to  try  a  change  of  climate. 
But  he  WAS  very  fast  sinking  under  the  disease.-  He  had 
a  room  furnished  in  the  Hospital,  and  every  attention  pos- 
sible paid  to  him.  I  went  with  one  of  the  managers  to  see 
him,  and  told  him  Dr.  Rush  had  desired  me  to  come,  and 
what  was  my  errand.  He  received  me  politely,  but  said 
but  little.  I  endeavored  to  improve  the  time  to  the  best 
of  my  knowledge,  and  hope  I  was  directed  by  the  blessed 
Spirit  to  a  word  in  season.  I  urged  the  necessity  of  prayer 
to  the  Lord,  who  alone  could  help  him ;  and  desired  to 
know  if  he  would  have  me  to  pray  with  him.  He  seemed 
rather  to  consent,  than  to  ask  it.  But  in  time  of  prayer, 
his  mind  was  filled  with  wonderful  joy ;  and  when  I  rose, 
he  clasped  me  with  both  hands,  and  said  it  was  the  hap 
piest  visit  to  him  that  ever  be  1^ ;  and  that  he  was  un- 
der  great  obligations  to  Doctor  Rush  for  many  favors,  but 
none  was  so  great  as  sending  me  to  visit  him  at  that  time ; 
and  he  desired  me  to  come  again.  But  in  a  few  hours 
after,  on  the  same  day,  he  expired.  The  manager,  who 
was  of  the  Friends'  society,  was  so  much  pleased  with 
what  he  beheld,  that  he  wrote  me  a  permit  to  visit  the 
Hospital  when  1  pleased,  and  gave  orders  to  the  steward 
and  gate-keeper  to  admit  me  at  any  time — which  opened 
the  way  for  my  holding  worship  there ;  and  he  and  other 
of  the  managers  have  often  attended  the  meetings  and 
countenanced  them."       .  ' 

It  appears  that,  beside  the  foregoing  narratives,  Mr.  East- 
burn  kept  a  regular  journal  of  the  religious  services  he 
performed,  from  the  time  of  his  licensure  till  he  was  con- 
fined to  his  house  by  his  last  sickness.  If  the  whole  of  this 
journal  were  published,  it  would  exhibit  a  very  extra- 
ordinary series  of  labor  and  self-denial,  through  which 
this  excellent  man  passed,  in  the  service  of  his  divine 
Master,  and  for  the  salvation  of  sinners  of  all  descriptions 
— but  especially  for  those  for  whom  others  had  not  suffi- 
ciently cared. 


-**-^ 


B 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV;  JOSEPH  EASTBVRN. 

From  this  journal  a  considerable  number  of  extracts 
will  be  made.  Previously  to  this,  however,  it  may  be 
proper  to  remaiic,  that  for  the  two  or  three  years  imme- 
diately succeeding  his  licensure,  his  services  on  the  Sab- 
bath were  almost  wholly  confined  to  the  three  public  in- 
stitutions, already  repeatedly  mentioned.  But  after  the 
lapse  of  about  that  period,  he  requested  of  the  Presbytery 
that  his  attention  might  not  be  so  strictly  confmed  as  it 
had  been,  to  those  institutions — observing,  that  the  scenes 
which  he  constantly  witnessed  there  were  so  gloomy,  that 
he  found  it  difficult  to  keep  them  from  having  a  depress- 
ing influence  on  his  spirits.  His  request  was  readily  grant- 
ed ;  and  indeed  from  that  date  till  his  death,  he  was  left 
very  much  at  discretion,  in  the  employment  of  his  time.* 
He  never  failed,  it  is  believed,  to  make  a  distinct  report 
to  the  Presbytery,  at  least  once  a  year,  of  the  manner  in 
which  he  had  employed  his  time ;  and  these  reports  were 
iavariably  approved — In  a  few  instances,  he  was  appoint- 
ed by  the  Presbytery,  either  to  perform  some  missionary 
services,  at  no  great  distanceirom  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
or  to  preach  in  vacant  congregations ;  but  in  general  it 
was  left  to  his  own  sense  of  duty,  to  choose  where  and 
when  his  services  should  be  rendered.    He  never  ceased 


1 

t 


U; 


it 


■4 


*  The  following  extracts  from  the  minutes  of  the  Philadelpliia 
Presbytery,  found  among  Mr.  E.'s  papers,  afibrd  a  specimen  of  the 
records  usually  made  in  nis  case. 

"  April  20th,  1808. — The  Presbytery  received  from  Mr.  Eastburn 
an  account  of  the  manner  in  which  he  had  fulfilled  his  appoint- 
ments, since  the  last  stated  meeting  in  the  spring,  and  approved 
his  fidelity. 

"  On  motion,  resolved,  that  it  be  left  at  the  discretion  of  Mr. 
Eastburn,  as  he  shall  judge  it  expedient,  to  employ  less  of  his  time 
in  the  public  institutions  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  more  in  the 
places  in  its  vicinity,  which  are  destitute  of  the  regular  preaching 
of  the  gospel." 

"April  19th,  1809. — Mr.  Joseph  Eastburn  made  a  report  with 
respect  to  the  discharge  of  his  duties ;  which  being  accepted,  he  was 
directed  to  continue  to  act  under  his  former  instructions." 

"April  19th,  1810. — The  Presbytery  received,  and  approved  the 
report  of  Mr.  Eastburn,  and  directed  him  to  employ  his  time  till  our 
next  stated  meeting,  agreeably  to  his  instructions  received  at  the 
last  Spring  Sessions." 

Truly  extracted  from  the  records  of  the  Presbytery  of  Phila- 
delphia. ,  , 

>    i    f^,  ■■■■  -         •  James  P.  Wilson, 

Stated  Clerk  for  the  year  1810. 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


63 


to  visit  and  preach  to  the  inmates  of  the  prison,  alms- 
house and  hospital.  The  whole  change  consisted  in 
giving  enlargement  to  the  circle  of  his  labors :  and  there 
can  be  no  doubt  that  this  was  not  only  conducive  to  his 
health  and  happiness,  but  also  to  the  extension  of  his 
usefulness.  It  should  likewise  be  remarked,  that  till  the 
death  of  his  wife,  he  never  gave  up  his  mechanical  busi- 
ness ;  and,  as  will  appear  from  his  journal,  he  was  some- 
times called  to  work  at  a  coffin  on  one  part  of  the  Lord^s 
day,  and  to  preach  on  another  part  of  the  same.  But  in 
no  manual  labor,  which  was  not  clearly  the  demand  of 
necessity  or  mercy,  would  any  earthly  inducement  have 
tempted  him  to  have  any  concern,  on  the  day  of  sacred 
rest.  Yet  when  such  a  demand  was  clearly  made,  he 
showed  that  he  was  superior  to  all  superstitious  feelings : 
and  those  who  knew  him  best,  had  not  a  doubt  that  not 
only  on  the  Sabbath,  but  on  other  days  also,  his  medita- 
tions were  much  of  the  things  of  God  and  heaven,  while 
his  hands  were  diligently  employed  in  the  use  of  his 
mechanical  implements. 

The  following  extracts  from  his  journal  will  show  the 
nature,  extent,  and  variety  of  his  engagements,  during  the 
whole  period  which  elapsed  between  his  licensure,  and 
his  becoming  stated ,  preacher  to  the  mariners — The 
reader  will  remark  how  acceptable  his  services  appear 
to  have  been,  to  almost  every  denomination  of  Protestant 
Christians. 

1 808. — Continued  at  the  alms-house,  jail,  and  hospital, 
to  the  end  of  the  month  of  April. 

1st  Sabbath  in  May,  held  worship  at  the  village  called 
the  Rising  Sun,  in  the  forenoon ;  and  at  the  alms-house 
in  the  afternoon.  At  the  former  the  people  attended  de- 
cently, and  some  young  people  appeared  to  be  affected. 

2d  Sabbath — Held  worship  at  the  hospital  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  at  a  school-house  in  Buck-lane,  below  the  city, 
in  the  afternoon.  Had  a  very  orderly  company — collect- 
ed a  number  of  boys  from  their  amusements,  who  also 
attended.  In  the  evening  attended  a  society  in  the  North- 
ern Liberties. 

3d  Sabbath — Held  worship  in  the  morning  over  the 


54 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


''ill 

k 


1^1 


lU 


4  i 


'111 


Delaware,  at  Camden.  But  few  attended,  but  they  were 
desirous  of  having  the  worship  continued.  In  the  after- 
noon, attended  at  the  bettering-house,  and  in  the  even- 
ing in  the  Northern  Liberties. 

4th  Sabbath — Attended  the  communion  in  the  Second 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  morning,  and  preached  at  the 
prison  in  the  afternoon,  and  at  a  society  in  the  west  part 
of  the  city  in  the  evening : — ^poorly  attended,  and  some 
boys  were  very  unruly. 

5th  Sabbath — At  the  hospital  in  the  morning :  attend- 
ed Mr.  Welch,  from  Connecticut,  to  the  prison  in  the 
afternoon.  He  spoke  to  the  prisoners  and  visited  the  sick, 
and  I  assisted  him.  In  the  evening  attended  public  worship. 

Ist  Sabbath  in  June — ^A^tended  at  the  alms-house  in 
the  afternoon,  and  at  Kensington  in  the  evening ;  and  had 
a  very  large  collection  of  people,  who  attended  with 
great  apparent  solemnity. 

2d  Sabbath-^Prevented  by  heavy  rain  from  attending 
out  of  the  city — assisted  Dr.  Green.  In  the  evening  be- 
gan to  hold  worship  at  Spring  Garden,  under  very  dis- 
couraging appearances — ^ColIected  some  boards  and.  fire- 
wood, to  make  seats  for  the  people ;  and  many  attended 
out  of  curiosity,  who  were  not  in  the  habit  of  going  to  any 
place  of  worship.  Some  appeared  affected,  and  several 
desired  to  have  meeting  there  again. 
"'  3d  Sabbath — Held  worship  in  the  Pennsylvania  hos- 
pital in  the  morning — at  the  new  church  in  the  Northern 
Liberties  in  the  afternoon — and  at  Spring  Garden  at  night. 
More  attended  than  at  first. 

4th  Sabbath — Hurried  in  the  morning  with  a  cofSn ; 
but  went  to  Frankford  and  held  worship  there,  both  parts 
of  the  day.  In  the  evening  held  worship  at  Kensington — 
people  attentive. 

1st  Sabbath  in  July — Held  worship  in  the  First  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  morning.  Had  to  work  in  the 
aitemoon,  and  hindered  at  night  from  going  to  Spring 
Garden,  by  the  sickness  of  my  wife,  and  unwell  myself. 

2d  Sabbath — My  wife  too  sick  too  permit  me  to  leave 
home  and  go  out  of  the  city — had  to  work  at  a  coffin  and 
attend  a  funeral.  Gave  an  exhortation  at  the  grave  for 
Dr.  WilsonV  congregation. 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


66 


3d  Sabbath — ^At  the  State  prison  in  the  morning-— 
preached  for  Dr.  Green  in  the  afternoon ;  but  could  not 
attend  society  in  the  evening,  on  account  of  my  wife  being 
very  ill. 

Supphed  for  Dr.  Green  at  the  new  church  on  Wednes- 
day evening;  beside  attending  my  own  society  on  every 
Thursday  evening. 

4th  Sabbath  in  July — Had  to  work  in  the  morning — 
heard  Dr.  Green — attended  at  the  bettering-house  in  the 
afternoon,  and  spoke  to  the  poor;  visited  the  sick  in  the 
evening. 

5th  Sabbath — Held  worship  at  the  Rising  Sun  in  the 
morning ;  and  back  of  the  city  in  the  evening,  at  a  school- 
house  ;  at  both  places  the  people  attended  decently  and 
solemnly. 

1st  Sabbath  in  August — Had  to  woric,  but  attended 
worship,  and  spoke  in  the  evening  near  the  Schuylkill,'in- 
a  school-house. 

2d  Sabbath — Had  to  work  in  the  morning  before  wor- 
ship ;  but  preached  both  parts  of  the  day  at  Pine  street 
church. 

3d  Sabbath— Supplied  for  the  Lutherans  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  attended  the  communion  in  Arch  street.  Assisted 
Dr.  Grreen  in  the  afternoon,  and  held  a  society  at  Spring 
Garden  at  night.  Friday  evening,  spoke  for  Dr.  Green  in 
Arch  street  meeting. 

4th  Sabbath — Held  worship  at  Frankford  both  parts 
of  the  day.  Was  called  upon  to  visit  a  dying  son  of  Mr. 
Lesley's  with  the  lock-jaw — he  died  in  the  evening.  Sup- 
plied for  Dr.  Green  in  the  week. 

October,  1st  Sabbath — Was  to  preach  in  Arch  street 
church,  but  obtained  Mr.  Kollock  to  perform  the  service. 
Had  to  make  a  large  coffin,  but  attended  a  society  in  the 
evening.  A  number  of  families  attended,  who  were  be- 
ginning to  perform  family  worship,  and  were  addressed 
particularly  on  tliat  subject.  They  appeared  determined 
to  go  on,  and  look  to  the  Lord  for  grace  to  help  them. 

2d  Sabbath  in  October — Obtained  Dr.  Keith  to  preach 
in  Arch  street  church,  and  Dr.  Blair  in  the  north  church, 
as  Dr.  Green  was  sick,  and  Mr.  Janeway  out  of  the  city. 
I  went  to  the  bettering-house  in  the  afternoon,  and  to 


j, 


I' 


ji   '. 


ill 


19  MfiMOIRB  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTB17RN. 

Spring  Garden  at  night — had  a  crowded  house,  and  many 
in  the  street — some  very  vain  and  careless. 

4th  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  north  church  in  the 
morningf  and  gave  an  exhortation  in  the  Methodist  meet- 
ing in  the  evening,  to  a  great  congregation,  who  were 
very  attentive. 

December,  the  2d  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  morning 
at  Spring  Garden — ^in  the  aflemoon  at  Zoar,  a  Methodist 
meeting,  chiefly  black  people,  but  very  attentive. 

1809,  January,  the  1st  Sabbath — Preached  in  the 
morning  at  the  hospital ;  and  in  the  evening  at  the  Union 
Methodist  meeting. 

2d  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  morning  at  the  prison, 
and  visited  the  sick  in  both  wings ;  they  were  very  atten- 
tive. In  the  evening  preached  at  the  black  Methodist 
meeting,  called  Bethel,  to  a  very  lai^e  collection  of  peo- 
ple, white  and  black. 

^  February,  3d  Sabbath — Attended  the  communion  in 
the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  morning.  Had 
to  prepare  a  coffin  in  the  afternoon,  fcN:  a  corpse  to  be 
sent  out  of  the  city.  Attended  at  the  Union  Methodists^ 
meeting  in  the  evening.  Concluded  a  prayer  meeting, 
with  an  exhortation  and  prayer. 

4th  Sabbath — Attended  a  funeral  in  the  morning,  and 
spoke  to  a  large  concoui-se  of  people,  at  Mr.  Potts 's  bury- 
ing-ground.  Held  worship  at  the  Hospital,  and  attended 
another  funeral. 

March,  the  1st  Sabbath — Preached  for  Mr.  Janeway 
in  the  north  church,  in  the  morning,  and  for  the  Inde- 
pendents at  the  Tabernacle,  in  the  evening. 

2d  Sabbath  in  March — Preached  a  charity  sermon  in 
the  morning  at  the  Methodists^  meeting  in  Kensington, 
by  the  request  of  a  large  society,  for  helping  the  poor  in 
tliat  part. 

4th  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  afternoon  at  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  Dr.  Wilson  being  unwell ;  and  in 
the  evening  opened  a  new  place  for  worship,  south-west 
of  the  city,  built  by  Captain  Moore  and  others,  which 
was  well  attended. 

1st  Sabbath  in  April — Preached  in  the  morning  in  the 
Fourth  Presbyterian  Church — assisted  Dr.  Wilson  in  the 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EA8TBURN. 


67 


afternoon,  but  was  unable  to  go  to  the  society  at  night, 
bj  reason  of  the  rheumatism. 

3d  Sabbath  of  April — At  the  prison  in  the  morning — 
preached  for  Mr.  Potts  in  the  afternoon — and  at  a  new 
school-house,  built  for  the  use  of  the  Evangelical  Society, 
in  the  evening,  to  a  large  collection  of  grown  people  and 
children. 

2d  Sabbath,  May — At  the  prison  in  the  morning,  and 
at  the  bettering-house  in  the  afternoon.  Delivered  a 
funeral  sermon  on  the  death  of  a  pious  blind  woman, 
who  had  been  long  there. 

3d  Sabbath  of  June — Preached  at  the  prison  in  the 
morning,  and  Spring  Garden  in  the  evening.  The  follow- 
ing week  went  abroad.  Held  worship  at  Trenton,  on 
Wednesday  evening ;  Thursday  and  Friday  evenings  at 
Brunswick. 

4th  Sabbath,  in  New- York — Attended  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per at  Mr.  Milledoler's  church,  and  preached  for  him  ^n 
the  afternoon.  Preached  on  my  return,  at  Brunswick, 
and  at  Trenton.  Arrived  at  home  in  time  to  attend  my 
own  society  in  the  evening.  Next  evening  supplied  for 
Dr.  Green  at  the  Tabernacle. 

3d  Sabbath  of  July — Mr.  Flinn  supplied  in  my  place 
for  Dr.  Green.  I  then  began  to  help  the  German  Cal- 
vinists.  Preached,  morning  and  afternoon,  for  them  in 
the  Academy. 

4th  Sabbath — Supplied  for  the  Germans  both  parts  of 
the  day,  and  catechised  their  children.  Visited  a  sick 
man  at  night. 

5th  Sabbath — Supplied  for  the  Germans  both  parts  of 
the  day,  and  catechised  their  children.  The  number 
increasing  so  much  as  to  require  assistance  by  some  of 
their  members. 
All  August  supplied  for  the  Germans. 
September — Continued  still  to  supply  for  the  Germans, 
except  when  I  obtained  some  one  to  take  my  place — 1 
then  went  to  the  poor-house,  prison,  and  hospital,  through 
the  months  of  September,  October,  and  November.  At 
the  hospital,  in  September,  there  was  a  seaman,  who  had 
been  hurt  in  his  back,  which  turned  to  a  mortification. 
He  was  under  great  concern  about  his  soul  \  and  for  some 


58 


MEMOHIS  OF  TIIE  REV.  JOSEPH  EA8TDURN. 


t  \ 


•u 


i 


■  1 


time  declared  he  Iiad  no  hope  of  his  salvation.  Bat  within 
a  few  days  of  his  death,  he  said  he  could  helieve  in  Jesus, 
and  rest  liis  soul  on  him.  He  desired  to  be  baptized,  and 
was  so,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Alexander,  on  his  dying  pillow. 
He  attended  worship  next  day,  and  in  a  few  hours  after 
expired.  At  the  bettering-house  some  professed  to  be 
benefited. 

1st  Sabbath  in  December — Preached  at  the  hospital 
in  the  morning.  A  man  deranged  hung  himself.  His 
wife  came,  in  time  of  worship,  crying  bitterly.  Preached 
in  the  afternoon  for  the  Germans,  and  exhorted  at  the 
Methodists'  meeting  at  night. 

6th  Sabbath  in  December,  and  last  day  of  the  year, 
Mr.  Burch  having  now  come  to  the  Germans,  I  attended 
at  the  prison  in  the  morning,  at  the  alms-house  in  the 
afternoon,  and  gave  an  exhortation  in  the  evening  at  the 
Union  Methodists'  meeting,  thus  ending  the  year. 

1810 — Presbytery  met,  and  I  delivered  my  report, 
April  19th.  They  approved  it,  and  directed  me  to  con- 
tinue as  I  judged  best.  ■ 

4th  Sabbath  of  June — Preached  at  Abington  in  the 
morning.  Dr.  Tennent  being  sick — ^gave  an  exhortation 
at  Frankford  after  Mr.  Doke,  on  my  way  home. 

4th  Sabbath,  July — Preached  at  Germantown  in  the 
morning,  and  exliorted  in  the  First  Baptist  Meeting  in 
tlie  evenixg. 

6th  Sabbath — Attended  a  funeral  in  the  morning — 
opened  a  place  for  worship  in  the  afternoon  near  Schuyl- 
kill, and  preached  to  a  small  congregation. 

4th  Sabbath,  August — Preached  morning  and  afternoon 
for  the  German  Calvinists.  An  impostor  offered  his  ser- 
vices to  preach  for  them,  and  was  detected. 

September,  1st  Sabbath — Preached  for  Dr.  Tennent 
at  Abington,  in  the  morning,  and  at  Milestown,  on  my 
return,  in  the  afternoon. 

2d  Sabbath — Supplied  the  German  Calvinists  morning 
and  afternoon,  their  minister  being  gone  to  North  Caro- 
lina. 

5th  Sabbath — Preached  for  Mr.  Alexander  in  Pine 
street  church ;  and  for  Dr.  Green  on  Wednesday  evening, 
at  the  church  Northern  Liberties. 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBUR5. 


dO 


sts  morning 
»Jortli  Caro- 


October,  the  Ist  Sabbath — Preached  for  Mr.  Janeway 
in  the  morning ;  attended  a  funeral  in  the  afternoon^  and 
spent  the  remainder  of  tlie  day  and  evening  with  my  sick 
wife. 

2d  Sabbath — Attended  at  the  State  prison  in  the  morn- 
ing, exhorted  and  prayed  with  the  prisoners,  who  were 
very  attentive.  In  the  afternoon  preached  to  the  poor 
in  the  alms-house,  upon  Simeon  seeing  the  salvation  of  the 
Lord,  and  desiring  to  depart  in  peace.  Luke  ii.  29  and  30. 

5th  Sabbath  of  December — Preached  at  the  prison  in 
the  morning,  and  at  the  Free  Quakers^  meeting  in  the 
afternoon.  We  had  a  solemn  and  affecting  time.  Oh  to 
be  well  prepared  to  end  our  time  as  we  are  now  Ending 
another  year !  The  Lord  pardon  all  defects  and  short- 
coming through  it. 

2d  Sabbath  of  April,  1811 — Preached  at  Kensington; 
gave  in  my  report  to  Presbytery  the  1 8th  of  April,  which 
was  accepted,  and  liberty  given  me  to  supply  wherever 
the  Lord  in  his  providence  may  call  me  within  tbeir 
bounds. 

June,  1st  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  Fourth  Presbyte- 
rian Church  in  the  morning  for  Mr.  Potts. 

In  the  afternoon  attended  on  my  dying  wife,  until  she 
expired,  between  5  and  6  o'clock,  to  enter  on  her  blessed 
sabbath  above.  June  2d,  1811. 

2d  Sabbath,  June — Preached  in  Wilmington,  morning 
and  evening,  for  Dr.  Reid  and  Mr.  Henderson,  and  ex- 
horted in  the  afternoon  for  the  latter. 

3d  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  Baptist  meeting  at  Pen- 
nepack  in  the  morning,  and  at  the  Fox  Chase  in  the 
afternoon. 

5th  Sabbath — Preached  at  Cape  May,  morning  and 
afternoon.  Monday  delivered  a  funeral  sermon,  and  in 
the  evening  preached  at  Fishing  Creek.  Tuesday  at 
Cape  Island  school-house.  Wednesday  evening  at  a 
private  house.  Friday  evening  at  the  court-house  at 
Bridgetown. 

1st  Sabbath  in  July — ^Preached  at  Pitsgrove  in  Jersey. 

2d  Sabbath — Preached  at  Bond-brook,  in  East  Jersey, 
both  parts  of  the  day,  to  a  very  attentive  congregation. 
Attended  and  preached  at  Trenton  on  my  way,  in  a 

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MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURM. 


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schoal-house,  to  a  few  people.  Preached  at  Amboy  and 
Brunswick. 

3d  Sabbath — Preached  at  Washington,  on  South  river, 
below  Brunswick,  both  parts  of  the  day,  to  a  people  who 
seldom  have  any  to  preach  to  them. 

4th  Sabbath — At  home;  went  to  the  prison  in  the 
morning ;  preached  at  the  bettering-house  in  tlie  after- 
noon, and  visited  the  sick  there. 

'\  2d  Sabbath  of  October — Dr.  Reid,  of  Wilmington,  had 
sent  for  me  to  assist  him  at  his  communion.  I  went  and 
spoke  four  times,  and  returned  better  in  health  than  when 
1  left  home. 

'  1st  Sabbath  in  November — Attended  the  communion 
in  Northern  Liberties;  spoke  for  Mr.  Burch  in  the  even- 
ing. This  week  went  to  Columbia,  and  held  meeting  in 
a  school-house,  and  both  parts  of  the  sabbath  following, 
when  the  people  attended  well.  Monday  evening,  spoke 
in  the  German  church ;  next  day  went  to  Donegal,  and 
spoke  in  the  Pj^esbyterian  meeting.  On  Thursday,  l)eing 
the  day  recommended  by  the  General  Assembly  to  be 
kept  for  worship,  I  preached ;  also  at  Maytown,  in  the 
German  church,  and  at  New-Haven  on  Susquehanna. 

3d  Sabbath — Preached  morning  and  afternoon  in  the 
Presbyterian  meeting-house  in  Lancaster,  and  was  treated 
in  each  place  with  more  kind  attention  tlian  I  ever  ex- 
perienced in  any  journey  before,  and  found  all  safe  at 
my  home.  Thanks  be  to  my  heavenly  Father,  for  all 
these  his  tender  mercies. 

1812,  January,  the  1st  Sabbath — Preached  at  the  hos- 
pital, and  visited  in  the  different  wards.  »# 

2d  Sabbath — Preached  in  Spring  Garden  to  a  very 
attentive  society. 

3d  Sabbath — Preached  at  the  bettering-house.  Was 
kindly  received  by  the  new  steward,  and  all  the  orderly 
poor.  Visited  some  of  them  that  could  not  attend  wor- 
ship. '  ■  •_,■'■-'        ■         .,■-.'.,,'.  ,r 

4th  Sabbath — ^Attended  the  communion  at  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  preached  in  the  afternoon  for 
Dr.  Wilson.  Wednesday  evening  supplied  for  Dr.  Green. 
Thursday  attended  a  funeral  at  Kensington.  Friday 
evening  spoke  in  Southwark. 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBITRN.  61 

February,  1st  Sabbath — Preached  at  the  prison,  and 
visited  a  number  of  sick  con^ned  there,  who  had  com- 
fortable acconmiodations. 

Wednesday  evening — Preached  for  Dr.  Alexander  in 
Pine  street. 

Friday  evening — Spoke  at  Mr.  Burch's  house  prepara- 
tory to  the  communion. 

Saturday  evening — Preached  at  Mr.  Burch's  meeting. 

4th  Sabbath  of  Feb. — Preached  in  the  prison,  and 
visited  the  sick  men  confined  there,  but  found  very  little 
appearance  of  repentance.  In  the  evening,  preached  at 
Spring  Garden  to  a  very  attentive  people. 

2d  Sabbath  of  April — Preached  at  Neshaniiny,  in  the 
late  Mr.  Irwin's  congregation ;  in  the  meeting-house  in 
the  morning,  and  at  Mr.  Samuel  Mann's  in  the  afternoon ; 
to  a  very  attentive  collection  of  people  in  both  places. 
Came  home  on  Monday  with  Mr.  Jaudon.  Tuesday 
evening  held  society  for  Mr.  Burch's  people.  Wednesday 
evening  preached  for  Dr.  Green.  Thursday  evening  at 
Kensington.  Friday  evening  for  Dr.  Alexander,  at  Mrs. 
Casdrup's,  Southwark, 

2d  Sabbath  of  June — Preached  in  the  prison  in  the 
morning,  and  at  the  First  Baptist  meeting  in  the  after- 
noon. Monday  went  to  Camden,  and  held  meeting  in 
the  evening  there.  On  Tuesday  went  to  Haddonfield, 
and  was  refused  by  the  Quakers  to  hold  meeting  in  a 
school-house,  belonging  to  one  of  them  in  the  town.  We 
had  to  go  to  one  back  of  the  town,  in  a  heavy  rain,  where 
the  people  attended  well.  From  there  to  Moorestown, 
where  we  were  received  by  Mr.  Harris,  and  held  wor- 
ship at  his  house.  In  the  evening  he  conveyed  us  to 
Mount  Holly,  where  we  held  worship  afternoon  and 
evening.  Mr.  Richards  sent  us  in  his  carriage  to  Bur- 
lington, where  I  staid  and  preached. 

3d  Sabbath — Morning  and  evening  at  the  Methodist 
meeting,  and  afternoon  at  the  Baptist.  Monday  after- 
noon and  evening  at  Bristol. 

Thursday,  16th  July — Rode  to  Lancaster,  and  went 
to  Lititz,  a  Moravian  town,  to  see  their  order. 

3d  Sabbath  of  the  month— Preached  in  the  Presbyte- 
rian meeting-house  in  Lancaster,  morning  and  afternoon, 


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MEMOIRS  OP  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBITRN. 


and  was  kindly  received.  Tuesday  evening,  preached 
tit  Columbia^  in  a  handsome  new  meeting-house,  to  a 
lai^e  congregation,  who  were  very  attentive.  Thursday 
evening,  preached  in  a  new  school-house  at  New-Haven 
*^a  rainy  night,  but  the  people  attended  better  than  could 
be  expected.  Returned  to  Columbia,  and  had  society  at 
Mr.  M'Kissick's  house,  on  Friday  evening,  and  at  Mr. 
Beaty's  on  Saturday  evening ;  people  very  attentive. 

4th  Sabbath — ^Preached  three  times  in  the  new  meet- 
ing-house at  Columbia,  to  full  congregations ;  the  people 
were  very  attentive  and  solemn.  Monday  evening,  held 
society  at  Dr.  M'Corkle's.  Tuesday  went  down  the 
river  on  a  raft  of  boards,  to  a  town  called  Washington, 
where  a  sermon  had  never  been  preached  before,  and 
had  a  meeting  in  an  unfinished  house.  The  people 
crowded  the  place,  and  some  sat  on  the  joists  oyer  our 
heads;  the  floor  not  being  laid.  Some  were  very  attentive, 
others,  out  of  doors,  were  noisy,  and  generally  very  care- 
less. Returning  in  the.  n<ght  in  a  gig,  the  gentleman  who 
drove,  ran  against  a  stump  and  overset.  We  were  both 
thrown  out,  but  I  escaped  unhurt,  and  had  neither  bruise 
nor  mark.  He  was  very  little  injured,  nor  the  carriage. 
Wednesday  evening,  held  society  at  a  Mrs.  Houston's, 
who  had  long  been  confined  to  her  house,  and  Was  in 
connexion  with  the  Quakers. 

1st  Sabbath  in  August — Preached  three  tinges  in  the 
new  church  in  Columbia.  Monday  evening,  held  society 
at  a  Mrs.  Ralston 's,  and  afterwards  gave  an  exhortation 
and  prayer  at  Mr.  Ring^s,  at  the  stage  and  ferry  house. 
Tue^ay  afternoon,  preached  at  Mr.  Pettit's,  at  the  sign 
of  General  Wayne.  Wednesday  at  Downingtown,  where 
many  attended.  Thursday,  came  home  in  the  stage,  and 
found  all  safe  and  in  good  order.  Bless  the  Lord,  oh  my 
soul !  and  all  my  powers  join  to  praise  and  thank  him 
for  all  his  favors  to  me,  a  poor,  unworthy,  unprofitable, 
servant. 

5th  Sabbath — Preached  at  Abington  in  the  morning, 
catechised  the  children,  and  attended  a  funeral  there ; 
and  in  the  afternoon  preached  in  a  school-house  at  Miles- 
town. 

September,  the  1st  Sabbath—Preached  in  the  afler- 


■i.:i 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


63 


uonn  at  New-Brunswick,  in  New- Jersey,  to  a  large  con- 
gregation. Monday  evening,  at  a  private  house.  Tues- 
day evening,  at  Mrs.  Mier's.  Wednesday  evening,  at 
Tvlr.  Seymour's  school-house.  Thursday  evening,  in  Dr. 
Clark's  meeting-house.  Friday,  came  away  with  Mr. 
Guest  and  my  brother,  to  see  one  John  Williams,  who 
has  long  been  locked  fast  in  body,  with  the  rheumatism, 
and  brought  to  know  the  Lord,  and  can  now  sing  his 
praise  in  the  midst  of  bodily  distress,  in  an  astonishing 
manner. 

2d  Sabbath — Preached  morning  and  afternoon  at  Bris- 
tol, in  the  Episcopal  church,  to  a  very  attentive  people. 
Mr.  M'Elroy  read  the  prayers,  and  I  went  home  with 
him.  Monday,  preached  near  his  house,  to  a  very  atten- 
tive assembly.  Tuesday,  preached  again  at  a  few  miles' 
distance,  and  on  Wednesday  returned  home. 

2d  Sabbath  of  October — Preached  both  parts  of  the 
day  at  Pine  street  church.  On  Monday  went  on  a  secoii4^ 
tour  appointed  by  Presbytery.  Mr.  Burch  being  unwell^' 
I  had  to  go  alone.  Preached  in  the  evening  at  Camden, 
and  had  to  walk  next  day  to  Haddonfield.  It  being  their 
election  time,  I  could  get  no  stage  or  carriage.  Preached 
ui  the  evening  in  a  school-house,  and  paid  a  woman  for 
cleaning  it.  Was  taken  next  day  to  Moorestown ;  preach- 
ed at  Mr.  Edward  Harris's,  who  entertained  me  kindly, 
and  sent  me  on  next  day  in  his  carriage  to  Mount  Holly; 
preached  there,  afternoon  and  evening,  in  the  Baptist 
meeting-house.  Went  from  there  in  a  stage  to  Burlington, 
and  preached  again  on  Friday  evening,  and  from  there 
home. 

3d  Sabbath — Preached  for  the  poor  in  the  bettering- 
house. 

41h  Sabbath  of  November — Preached  at  the  hospital. 
Monday  evening,  spoke  in  a  society  of  our  polite  ladies, 
who  usually  meet  by  themselves.  Wednesday  evening, 
spoke  in  Pine  street  meeting.  Thursday  evening,  in  a 
society  belonging  to  St.  Paul's  church.  Friday  evening, 
in  Southwark  society.   Saturday  evening,  at  Mr.  Jaudon's. 

6th  Sabbath — Preached  at  the  bettering-house ;  the 
people  were  very  attentive,  and  some  pious  women  much 


'■.■Il 


61 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


■S.'  ! 


comforted.  In  the  evening,  went  to  hear  Mr.  Fisk  at  the 
Academy. 

4th  Sabbath  of  February,  1813 — Preached  at  the  hos- 
pital. The  managers,  and  steward,  with  his  family,  and 
a  lai^er  collection  than  ever  before,  attended. 

3d  Sabbath  of  March — Supplied  at  Pine  street  church, 
morning  and  afternoon,  and  was  much  oppressed  in  body, 
and  with  pain  in  my  breast.  On  Thursday,  went  up  to 
New-Hope  to  supply,  by  direction  of  Presbytery.  Preach- 
ed there  on  Friday  evening,  and  on  Sabbath  day. 

4th  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  new  meeting-house. 
On  Monday  afternoon,  at  Mr  M'Nairs',  and  from  house 
to  house ;  and  on  Wednesday  afternoon  at  'Squire  Ing- 
ham's house.  Returned  home  Thursday  evening.  Fri- 
day evening,  spoke  for  Mr.  Joice  in  his  society. 

1st  Sabbath  in  June — Preached  for  Dr.  Clark.  On 
Tuesday  evening  in  a  private  house.  Wednesday,  went 
to  New- York,  And  was  sick  at  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brodhead's 
one  day.  Friday,  went  to  Amboy,  and  preached  in  the 
evening,  in  th«i  Presbyterian  meeting-house. 

2d  Sabbath — Preached  both  parts  of  the  day  in  the 
same  place;  the  people  were  very  attentive;  the  militia 
were  encamped  before  the  church ;  the  trumpeter  stood 
clerk,  and  officers  all  attended. 

3d  Sabbath  of  August — Preached  at  Solesbury,  up  the 
Delaware ;  again  on  Thursday,  at  the  same  place,  and 
from  house  to  house  through  the  week ;  and  attended  a 
funeral. 

4th  Sabbath — Preached  at  Newtown  to  a  lai^e  and 
attentive  congregation ;  went  in  the  afternoon  six  miles, 
and  attended  a  lai^e  funeral,  and  spoke  there.  I  hope 
the  Lord  directed  and  blessed  this  journey. 

Thursday,  9th  of  September — The  humiliation  day. 
I  preached  in  the  morning  and  evening,  to  an  attentive 
and  solemn  people,  in  Crown  street  church. 

2d  Sabbath — Attended  again  at  Crown  street.  Mr. 
Sergeant  preached  in  the  morning,  and  I  in  the  afternoon. 
I  then  informed  them  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brodhead,  whom 
they  had  invited  to  be  their  minister,  was  coming. 

3d  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  morning  at  Abington, 


■i;i 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


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and  gave  an  exhortation  in  the  aflernoon  at  Hatborough 
or  Lollards  Academy,  and  went  next  day  to  a  camp-meet^ 
ing  at  Neshaminy.  Wednesday  evening,  preached  in  the 
North  Meeting ;  had  a  favourable  time. 

October,  1st  Sabbath — Went  to  the  lazaretto ;  preached 
in  the  afternoon  from  Isaiah  iii.  10,  11,*^  Say  to  the  right* 
eous,**  &c. ;  the  people  attended  well,  and  desired  meet- 
ing again  in  the  evening :  we  met  again  in  the  evening ; 
attended  to  the  20th  chapter  of  John  generally. 

2d  Sabbath  in  October — Attended  the  communion  in 
Crown  street  church  in  the  morning,  in  the  afternoon 
prcaclied  to  the  poor  at  the  bettering-house ;  visited  some 
that  were  very  sick,  and  one  died  while  we  were  in  prayer 
by  the  bed-side. 

November,  the  2d  Sabbath — Lectured  at  the  bettering- 
house  on  the  11th  chapter  of  Luke,  the  first  13  verses; 
the  people  attended  well. 

3d  Sabbath — Attended  there  again,  and  preached  frcnn 
Jeremiah  viii.  20 — "  the  harvest  is  past,"  &c."  Monday 
evening  attended  a  society  of  ladies,  as  I  had  done  the 
Monday  evening  before ;  gave  an  exhortation,  sung,  and 
prayed,  each  evening.  They  were  both  solemn  seasons. 
Tuesday  evening  attended  a  meeting  for  young  people. 
The  place  was  much  crowded,  and  much  weeping  among 
them.  I  found  it  hard  to  dismiss  them.  Wednesday  evening 
preached  for  Dr.  Holcombe  in  the  First  Baptist  meeting 
house. 

4th  Sabbath — Gave  an  exhortation  and  prayed  in  St. 
George's  Methodist  meeting,  after  Mr.  Cooper  had 
preached;  in  the  afternoon  I  preached  at  the  hospital  and 
prayed.  Mr.  Richards  attending  there,  gave  an  exhorta- 
tion. Monday  evening  attended  the  ladies'  meeting. 
Tuesday  evening  attended  Crown  street  society ;  spake 
from  Matthew  xi.  28 — ^''Come  unto  me,"  &c.\  there  was 
a  remarkable  moving  among  the  people ;  nor  would  they 
go  away  when  dismissed ;  and  I  had  to  give  an  exhorta- 
tion again. 

December,  1st  Sabbath — Preached  at  the  poor-house, 
on  the  rich  man  and  Lazarus.  As  there  had  been  a  uni- 
versal preacher  preaching  there,  I  thought  that  passage 
the  best  reply  to  his  doctrine. 


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4l|^  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 

February,  1st  Sabbath — Preached  for  the  poor;  attend 
ed  societies  through  the  week. 

2d  Sabbath — The  public  institutions  were  supplied 
by  those  who  offered  their  services ;  attended  a  funeral, 
and  spake  in  the  house ;  spake  at  societies  through  the 
week. 

3d  Sabbath — Preached  at  the  north  church  in  the 
morning,  attended  the  communion  at  Arch  street,  and 
assisted  at  the  prison  in  the  afternoon  with  Mr.  Warren ; 
attended  societies  every  evening  this  week. 
fi  4th  Sabbath — Preached  at  the  poor-house,  and  attended 
societies  as  usual  through  the  week. 

May,  5th  Sabbath — In  my  way  to  the  lazaretto  stopped 
at  Kingsess  church,  where  a  large  audience  met,  but  no 
preache:  came ;  I  was  therefore  requested  to  preach,  by 
the  vestry,  and  the  Lord,  I  hope,  did  direct  and  assist  me 
— ^may  his  blessing  follow ;  preached  again  in  the  after- 
noon at  the  lazaretto. 

June,  Ist  Sabbath — The  elders  of  Pine  street  church 
began  worship  in  the  court-house.  I  attended  them  in  the 
afternoon,  and  preached  at  Spring  Garden  in  the  evening. 
Tuesday  evening  attended  for  Mr.  Brodhead.  Wednesday 
evening  for  Mr.  Skinner  at  his  society. 

2d  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  bettering-house.  Tues- 
day and  Wednesday  evenings  as  before. 

3d  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  Baptist  meeting  at 
Lower  Dublin  in  the  morning,  and  at  the  school-house, 
near  the  Fox  Chase,  in  the  afternoon.  Wednesday  even- 
ing for  Mr.  Skinner,  and  Thursday  evening  back  of  Arch 
street  church. 

4th  Sabbath — Preached  at  Camden  in  a  school-house ; 
the  people  very  attentive. 

The  last  Sabbath  of  June — Dr.  Read  of  Wilmington 
wrote  for  me  to  come  and  assist  him,  as  there  appeared 
to  be  a  revival  of  religion,  and  he  was  unable  to  attend 
to  the  duties  of  the  church.  Mr.  Joyce  and  myself  went 
and  found  much  attention;  he  staid  but  two  days;  we  had 
frequent  meeting  early  in  the  morning,  conversing  through 
the  day,  and  public  worship  ewery  evening. 

1st  Sabbath  in  July — Preached  for  Dr.  Read;  Inde- 
pendence day  united  with  the  Baptists  and  Methodists, 


III 


MBMOiRS  OF  THS  RET.  JOnpR  EA8TBITBN. 


67 


and  held  worship  morning,,  aflerooon^  and  «1%xutig,  to* 
getber,  in  the  dinerent  inec!iing-hou8ea,>wheB  tke-peopld 
attended  well,  and  highly  approved  bavin^  won&iy  in- 
stead of  parade.  Thursday  evening  attenikd  mtiet^g  it 
Mr.  YoungV  Friday  evening  at  Ne!i¥-Caitie ;  &$  meft* 
ing  very  soiietnnk:   .  -,.       .   ^.i^^i.-.. 

2d  Sabbath — Had  worship  at  five  oVlock  in  the  inoni^ 
ing  at-WiJjnington,  at  ten  ako,  and  ^br6e  in  the  aftemooii. 
Mr.  John  Latta  preached  in  .the  eveiiiiig;  returned  hdmtf 
on  Monday  by  water ;  had  some  good  inclined  men  in  the 
packet,  and  a  pleasant  passage.  Tuesday  eVefiitig  spi^ke 
and  prayed  in  Mr.  Brodhead^s  society ;  but  my  br^sliwas 
so  sore  wi<&  much  exercise,  I  did  not  ei^age.  again  tiiirou^ 
the  week,  bat  visited  the  sick  as  called  wv. 

November^r  l^^^i  ^^t  Sabbatb-'^Teached  at  t^e  ho^ 
pital.  '  .         •  , 

3d  Sabbath-^Assisted  Mr.  Dpk6iri:themonnog,attefidi»^ 
ed  at  the  north  meeting-house  for  .Mr.  Fattera6i4'#a|ft 
preaclwd  £Mr  tit^  poor  in^tlte  aftea^^^opo,    -  -     .:' " 

On  Friday  #a3  sent  for  hymy  brother,  at  Bnm»i«k]^ 
.who  was  yn^  sick.      ,/;  • 

^d  Sikbiaath---Pfeacfaed  in  Branswick  momiiig  and 
afternoon ;  Monday  evening  at  the  landing,  and  Fridaj 
evening  at  Trenton. 

-  4th  Sabbatli — Preached  at  Mr.  Rose's  above  Tirentoa, 
and  Monday  evening  in  town;  Tuesday  returned  home 
and  found  all  safe,  thank  the  Lord;  attended  Mr.  Brodr 
bead^s  society  the  same  evening;  so  many  attended,  and 
placje  confined,  that  the  candles  were  near  going  out  for 
want  of  good  air. 

January,  1815,  began  on  Sabbath  day — Preached  to 
the  poor  in  the  bettering-house  from  LukexiH.  particular^ 
on  the  barren  fig-tree;  and  had  humbling  views  of  my- 
self; attended  societies  in  the  week,  and  preached  a  pre- 
paratory sermon  for  the  communion  in  Mr.  Brodhe&d^ 
meeting-house,  from  Micah  vi.  6,  first  part. 

April,  the  4th  Sabbath— Preached  at  the  state-bouse 
from  Hebrew  x.  38 — "  the  iust  shall  live,"  &c.       - 

5th  Sabbath — ^Preached  lor  the  poor  at  their  house. 

May,  the  1st  Sabbath— Spoke  at  the  hospital;  the 
steward  conducted  me  to  every  ward  where  the  people 

G 


1   '•         -  ';l, 


Mi 
i;  i 


4l! 


it  BttMOnUI  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURlf. 

W6re  in  their  seDSes,  and  I  gave  an  exhortation  in  each, 
and  prayed  in  one  as  general  for  all,  and  for  the  institu- 
tion ;  by  this  method  more  had  an  opportunity  of  hearing, 
than  if  I  had  held  worship  only  in  the  large  ward;  through 
each  week  attended  societies,  and  spoke  in  different  places 
at  funerals,  and  had  constant  calls  to  visit  those  who  were 

■ick. 

Jane,  1st  Sabbathr— Preached  for  Dr.  Row  at  Wood- 
bridge,  morning  and  evening,  and  in  Brunsv^ick  on  Thurs- 
day evening. 

:2d  Sabbath — Preached  in  Brunswick,  morning  and 
afternoon,  and  attended  a  society  in  the  evening  with  the 
Low  Dutch.  Monday  evening  preached  at  the  landing. 
Tuesday  evening  at  my  brother's  house.  Wednesday  even- 
ing in  the  meeting-house  at  Princeton,  and  visited  the  stu- 
dents. Thursday  morning  prayed  with  them  in  the  hall ; 
many  were  very  serious.  Friday  evening  held  a  meeting 
tnTfrenton*        <    .         -,  ' 

3d  Sabbath — Preadied  at  Penington  for.  Mr.  Roe,  and 
in  the  afternoon  at  the  river  meeting.  Monday  evening 
in  Trenton  again.  Tuesday,  June  the  30th,  181^,  returned 
home,  and  found  all  safe  and  in  good  order;  thanks  to  my 
heavenly  Father  for  all  his  mercies. 

4th  Sabbath  of  September — Preached  at  Providence 
meeting-house  above  Norristown  in  the  morning,  and 
attended  a  funeral  there  and  spoke  at  the  grave ;  in  the 
afternoon  preached  at  Norristown,  and  lectured  in  the 
evening  in  a  private  house  to  a  very  attentive  peoj^e ; 
came  home  on  ])londay,  and  found  all  well.  Tuesday  even- 
ing delivered  a  lecture  in  a  lai^e  society  connected  with 
Crown  street  congregation ;  this  week  had  many  calls  to 
visit  sick  in  different  places. 

October,  1st  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  Independent 
Tabernacle  from  Luke  xii.  32.  Fear  not,  little  flock,  for 
it  is  your  father,  &",. 

2d  Sabbath — i*  ttended  the  Lord's  Supper  with  Dr. 
Brodhead's  congregation,  and  preached  for  them  in  the 
afternoon.  Tuesday  evening  attended  the  society.  Thurs- 
day was  sent  for  to  Wilmin^on  to  assist  at  the  communion 
in  Dr.  Read's  congregation,  he  being  sick;  preached  on 
Friday  evening  and  Saturday  afternoon.  r  v ;  w^ 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE  RBV*  JOSEPH  EASTBVRN. 

3d  Sabbath — Joined  in  the  coinmunion,gave  an  addresii 
at  the  close  and  prayed  and  preached  in  the  afternoon, 
and  gave  an  exhortation,  and  pra3Fed  at  night  after  Mr. 
Bell  had  preached ;  came  home  on  Mond^,  aiid  fouiid 
all  safe ;  tnanki  to  my  dear  heavenly  Father  for  all  his 
mercies  to  a  poor  unworthy  worm. 

New- Year  day,  1816 — belirered  an  address  to  the 
younp  people  of  Dr.  Brodhead^s  congregation ;  in  the 
evening  joined  Dr.  Wilson  in  a  public  prayer  meeting  tn 
his  church.  Tuesday  evening  shoke  for  him  in  a  society. 

1st  SabbatL — Preached  in  the  Tabernacle;  att^ded 
societies  through  the  following  week. 

2d  Sabbath  ofFebruary — Preached  ibr  the  poor  at  their 
house ;  attended  Mr.  Purves^s  son  Alexander,  ten  yean 
old,  who  experienced  a  remarkable  change  in  the  close 
of  life,  clear  conviction  of  sin,  believing  views  of  salva- 
tion through  Jesus,  and  full  assurance  of- eternal -happi- 
ness,  in  the  course  of  four  days.  -  \  •  ^ 
.  3d  Sabbath — Preached  at  the  faospitd ;  HA  k  laTg^  apd 
attentive  bellection  of  the  lame,  halt^  and  blind. 

1816.  Aftil,  i^eSd  Sabbath— Preached  in  the  Sitth 
Presbytelrian  Chiircfi. 

4th  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  morning  in  the  Taber- 
nacle, and  in  the  afternoon  in  the  hospital.  ' 

May,  Ist  Sabbath — ^Preached  to  a  large  collectioh  of 
children,'  and  visited  several  people  sick  and  in  distress 
of  mind— attended  a  collection  otadults  who  were  learn- 
ing to  read,  on  Monday  evenihg,and  delivered  an  address 
and  prayed  with  them,  and  spoke  in  societies  every  even- 
ing through  this  week.  '^ 

1817.  January,  3d  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  Second 
Reformed  Dutch  Church,  in  the  afternoon,  and  assisted 
Dr.  Janeway  in  the  evening. 

4th  Sabbath — So  unwell  as  not  to  he  able  to  go  from 
home  all  day — confined  to  my  house  all  the  week. 
Febniary,  1st  Sabbath — Still  unwell.  --   -^  $ 

2d  do.— Still  obUged  to  keep  in  my  house,  ^'''^'^^^y^^ 
3d  do. — -Not  out  H-om  home  all  day.  ~  "^ 

4th  do. — ^Attended  a  prayer  meeting  in  the  morning, 
and  the  Gooununion  in  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church 


sr 


70  MEMpIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 

—assisted  Dr.  Neal  in  the  afternoon,  and  Dr.  Janewaj 
at  night. 

April,  Ist  Sabbath — Preached  to  the  children  belong- 
.  ing  to  the  Sunday  Schools — ^in  the  evening,  assisted  Dt. 
Janeway.  Monday  afternoon  preached  to  a  great  collec- 
tion of  children  in  Mr.  Patterson *s  meeting-house,  and 
attended  a  prayer  meeting  in  the  evening.  Tuesday  even- 
ing spol^e  and  prayed  in  Dr.  Brodhead^s  meeting.  Wednes- 
day evening  preached  for  Dr.  Neill  in  Spruce  street. 
Friday  evening  assisted  Dr.  Jane  way. 

1817.    Made  my  report  to  Presbytery. 

3d  Sabbath  in  April — Preached  in  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church,  in  the  Northern  Liberties,  to  a  great  col- 
lection of  children  and  others — ^very  attentive,  and  some 
much  affected — in  the  evening  assisted  Dr,  Jane  way. 

July,  Ist  Sabbath-— Was  distressed  in  the  momine  with 
a  bowel  complaiipt  and  very  sick  stomach,  but  was  relieved 
just  in  time  to  go  and  preach  in  the  north  Presbyterian 
Church,  Mr  Patterson  being  away,  when  I  was  favored 
with  divine  assistance — addressed  a  lai^e  collection  of 
children  of  the  Sabbath  School  in  the  afteroi^n,  at  half 

East  two  o'clock — attended  worship  after  at  Dr*  Brod- 
ead's  Church,  and  spoke  in  the  evening  in  a  society  of 
the  Baptists  in  Fromberger's  court. 

November,  the  1st  Sabbath — Preached  a  charity  ser- 
mon in  Mr.  Patterson's  meeting  in  the  Northern  Liber- 
ties for  the  Sunday  Schools — attended  at  the  hospital  in 
the  afternoon,  and  assisted  Dr.  Brodhead  in  the  evening. 
2d  Sabbath— Preached  in  the  State  prison  to  a  great 
number  of  prisoners  from  the  1 6th  of  Luke,  from  the  1 9th 
^o  the  end—some  of  them  at  first  appeared  very  careless, 
but  afterward  they  were  very  attentive,  and  many  of  tliem 
seemed  to  be  much  affected  and  wept.  .,«,»i 

„:jGood  Friday  supplied  for  the  Moravians  at  their  minis- 
ter's request.  i  t ;  / »  \, 
4th  Sabbath — Preached  morning  and  afternoon  at 
Frankford.  Monday  preached  to  a  great  collection  of 
children  in  Mr.  Patterson's  meeting,  supposed  to  be  above 
1500.  Tuesday  evening  preached  in  the  Methodist  meet- 
ing by  request.  Wednesday  evening  for  the  Baptist  in  |be 
First  meeting-house.  j    -: 


fffi 


■  ?■!    ,    t>'' 


-     -)»!r** 


MEMOIftS  OF  TBE  REV.  JOBfiPH  EASTBUfiN. 


71 


eir  miais- 


5th  Sabbath— ^Preached  again  both  parts  of  the  daj  ^t 
Fraukford,  and  assisted  Dr.  Janeway  in  the  evenine. 

April)  Ist  Sabbath — Preached  for  the  Afiricans  in  the 
morning,  and  at  the  hospital  in  the  afternoon. 

July  4th — ^Held  meeting  in  the  morning  with  a  Baptist 
society,  and  in  the  afternoon  with  tiie  Presby tenant — sdso 
in  the  erening. 

1st  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  navy-yard  iii  the  morn- 
ing— attended  a  funeral  in  the  afternoon,  and  assisted 
Dr.  Janeway  in  the  evening. 

November,  the  Ist.Sabbath — Was  at  Evesham  in  the 
morning — assisted  in  public  worship  there — preached  in 
Moorestown  in  the  afternoon  and  evening  to  a  very 
attentive  congregation.  This  visiting  in  Jersey  to  be  men- 
tioned to  the  Presbytery;  they  appointed  Mr.  Burch  and 
myself  to  visit  Camden,  Haddonfield,  Moorestown,  Mount 
Holly,  and  Burlington,  in  181^.  Mr.  Burch  went  but  on^j^ 
There  have  si^ce  been  four  meetins-hou^  built  vi^fief'e  t 
have  attended.  Two  mUes  beyond  Wool  i  ^jm  a,  at  a  laige 
school-house,* 'womeo  catted  upon  ' 
worship  often  there. 

^  Sabbath — Preached  morning. 
Falls  of  SchuylkiU.     ^         '     '' 

January  1st,  1819— Preached 

ist  Sabbath— Assisted  Mr.  Pa 
preached  for  the  children  o{  ih 
Seceder's  meeting  in  Spruce  str©« 
M'Cartee  prayed  last. 

2d  Sabbathk— Preached  for  Mr. 
in  the  morning ;  assisted  Dr.  Brodhead  at  his  communion 
immediately  after;  assisted  Mr.  Patterson  in  the  after- 
noon, and  spoke  for  Dr.  Holcombe's  people  in  the  even- 
ing ;  had  a  solemn  time. 

3d  Sabbath — Attended  the  communion  with  Dr.  Wil- 
son, and  preached  for  him  in  the  afternoon ;  assisted  Dr. 
Janeway  in  the  evening. 

March,  the  1st  Sabbath — Assisted  Mr.  Patterson  at  his 
communion  in  the  morning,  attended  a  Sabbath  School 
in  the  evening,  where  a  number  of  Jewish  children  attend, 
and  some  of  their  parents. 

2d  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  hospital,  visited  many 


iii7tojbav& 


at  Uie 


the  momins; 

School  in  the 

afternoon.  Mr. 

at  Spring  Garden 


m 


M 


''l'*      u 


«  '. 


it- 

id 


72 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EA8T0URN. 


lick,  and  distributed  tracts;  rend  one  publicly.  A  ladj 
who  had,  when  chained  to  the  floor,  retjucsted  me  to 
pray,  was  now  restored  to  her  reason ;  assisted  Dr.  Jane- 
way  in  the  evening ;  both  of  us  sj)okc  and  prayed. 

July,  1st  Sabbath — Assisted  at  Mr.  Patterson *s  in  the 
mominc;  preached  for  the  poor  in  the  afternoon;  at  night 
ai  usual. 

2d  Sabbath — Assisted  Dr.  Brodhcad  at  his  communion 
in  the  morning,  and  Dr.  Jancway  at  night;  attended  many 
meetings  in  the  week. 

3d  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  Seccder's  meeting  in 
Spruce  street  in  the  morning  for  Mr.  M^Cartee ;  at  the 
hospital  in  the  afternoon,  and  assisted  Dr.  Janeway  at 
night. 

4th  Sabbath — Preached  at  Haddonfield  in  the  morn- 
ing, at  Moorestown  in  the  afternoon.  Monday  evening  at 
Mount  tioWy,  '!^uesday  preached  a  funeral  sermon  there ; 
prea^ed  at  Burlington  on  Wednesday  evening. 

August,  th^CUt  Sabbath — Attended  a  funeral  in  the 
mofniQg  tc^gH^FVee  Quaker^s  burying  ground ;  preached 
in  the  jjSSJ/K^^^  the  Orphan  Asylum;  W|B(ktber .very 

cbed  morning  and  afternoon  at  tlte 


3d  Sab^ 
Falls  6f 
4th  Sabba 


men,  mommg 
and  conducted  vi 


;k>ber — Began  preaching  to  the  sea- 
^rnoon ;  many  attended  both  times, 
^ell.    Some  were  affected. 


Having  traced  jKlife  and  ministerial  services  of  Mr. 
Eastburn  to  the  period  when  he  began  to  preach  to  the 
mariners,  to  whom  he  afterwards  devoted  his  stated 
labors,  it  may  be  proper  to  make  a  few  remarks  on  his 
journal,  and  to  notice  more  particularly  some  events  of 
which  he  takes  only  a  cursory  notice.  Of  the  journal  his 
particular  friends  and  acquaintance  will  probably  wish 
for  more,  and  others  may  think  that  too  much  has  already 
been  given.  Not  a  fourth  part  of  what  he  wrote  has 
been  extracted.  In  selecting  the  parts  which  appear,  the 
design  has  been  to  present  a  fair  specimen  of  the  whole, 
and  to  show  in  how  many  different  places  and  on  what  a 
variety  of  occasions  this  faithful  mmister  of  Christ  was 


MEMOIRS  or  THB  RBV.  JOSBHl  EASTBCtlt. 


73 


eni)>Io)'cd  in  his  MasterV  pcrvice.  Except  when  lickneM 
prevented — and  it  was  onFv  to  serious  illness  tliat  he  ever 
yielded — scarcely  a  sabbath  passed,  in  which  he  did  not 
cngHge  twice,  or  thrice,  and  occasionally  four  times,  in 
some  public  religious  exercises,  beside  many  visits  paid 
in  the  intervals  of  worslnp  to  the  sick  and  tlie  atOicted. 

On  the  sabbath  on  which  bix  belu>^d  wife  expired,  we 
find  that  he  preached  in  the  morning,  and  attended  her 
dcttth-bed  in  the  afternoon.  Iler  complaint  was  a  decline, 
80  gradual  ihat  the  time  of  her  departure  ceuld  not  be 
foreseen,  either  by  herself  or  others.  She  was  probably 
not  in  appearance  more  likely  to  expir6,  on  the  day  on 
wliich  sne  actually  breathed  her  last,  than  on  many  that 
had  preceded  it.  There  was,  therefore,  no  want  of  sym- 
pathy, or  attention,  on  his  part,  in  leavings  her  for  two  or 
three  hours  in  the  morning,  that  his  public  usefulness, 
which  it  was  her  desire  as  well  as  his  to  consult,  might 
be  interrupted  as  httle  as  possible.  The  only  xv^ittea 
memorial  which  he  has  left  of  his  wife  is  that  quoted  from 
his  journal,  which  in  the  maouscript  is  surrounded  by 
broad  black  lines.  The  following  irjscription  appears  on 
a  monumental  stone,  whicJi  he  'Caused  to  be  erected  over 
her  grave —  '     v 

In  memory  of  Ann  Fastburn,  '    •       '"Si 

The  wiA)  of  Joseph  Eastburn ; 

Who  departed  this  life, 

1^  In  the  Aill  astiurariue  of  her  eternal  happiness,  ^^ 

Wb^  Through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  *  k 

1..  The  2d  day  of  June,  18U, 

Aged  66  years. 

The  following  letter  from  her  a^ed  brother,  on  the 
occasion  of  her  death,  bears  a  pleasmg  testimony  to  the 
excellence  of  Mr.  Eastburn^s  character  as  a  husband  and 
a  friend — 

"Dear  Brother — I  received  your  letter,  which  an- 
nounced the  death  of  my  last  and  most  beloved  sister : 
and  though  it  is  inherent  in  human  nature  to  mourn  the 
departure  of  our  dear  and  valued  friends,  yet  when  we 
call  to  mind  her  advanced  age,  her  long  and  painful  illness, 
her  resignation  and  desire  to  be  removed,  we  must  ac- 
quiesce in  the  dispensation  of  that  kind  providence, 
which  hath  taken  her  from  this  life  of  pain  and  misery,  to 


T4 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


Ill' J 


»■■■ 


t  ' 


\i.\.4^ 


H  ,  i  ''■1  i 


ii 


the  enjoyment  of  an  eternity  of  bliss,  in  the  presence  of 
the  God  whom  in  this  life  she  loved  and  adored.  Yet  but 
a  short  time,  and  we.  shall  follow.  The  longest  human 
life  is  but  a  short  space  of  time,  and  we  may  consider  our- 
selves verging  on  the  close — ^particularly  myself,  who  am 
a  number  of  years  older  than  you.  I  can  perceive  my 
faculties,  both  bodilv  and  mental,  rapidly  on  the  decline. 
M^  sated  appetite  ^>r  what  is  called  the  |pod  things  of 
this  life,  has  often  reminded  me  of  old  Barzillai^s  reply 
to  king  David,  when  invited  by  him  to  spen^he  remain* 
der  ofnis  life  at  court 

f  "  Please  to  tender  my  best  respects  to  Mrs.  Hall,  if  she 
still  lives,  and  let  me  know,  from  time  to  time,  how  you 
and  my  other  friends  pre :  for  be  assured  I  shall  always 
regard  with  sentiments  of  esteem  and  friendship,  the  man 
who  has,  for  so  many  years,  been  the  tender  and  indul- 
gent husband  of  my  dear  departed  sister. 
-ffw...^  '  "  Your  affectionate  brother, 

"  Wm.  Owen. 
Sullivan  County,  Aug,  17^1911 » 

'* Mr.  Joseph  Eastbubn."  -*' 


«i 


On  the  death  of  his  wife,  Mr.  E.  relinquished  alto 
gether  his  mechanical  occupation.  The  expense  neces- 
sarily incurred  by  her  long  illness  having  now  ceased,  he 
found  that  his  income  from  the  investments  in  public 
stocks,  which  his  industry  and  economy  had  enabled  hifh 
to  make,  was  fully  adequate  to  his  own  comfortable  sup- 
port, and  also  for  contributing  to  the  support  of  an  aged 
and  necessitous  sister,  as  well  as  to  some  public  charities 
of  which  he  highly  approved.  From  this  period  therefore, 
he  devoted  his  time  exclusively,  and  with  augmented 
assiduity,  to  his  evangelical  labors. 
'  That  part  of  the  German  Calvmist  church  in  Philadel- 
phia, to  whom  the  English  language  had  become  more 
familiar  and  intelligible  than  that  of  their  ancestors,  dis- 
satisfied with  attending  on  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  in 
what  was  to  some  of  them  almost  "  an  unknown  tongue,^' 
separated  from  their  brethren  in  the  year  1 809,  and  form- 
ed a  society  by  themselves.  They  at  first  me\  'jt  worship 
in  a  large  public  hall,  in  what  was  then  and  still  is  usually 


MEMOIRS  OF  TFIE  REV.  JOSPJ>I|  EASTBURN. 


76 


known  by  the  name  of  the  Old  Academy.  They  ap^iYied 
to  Mr.  Lastburn  to  preach  to  Ihcin  statedly,  and  it  ap- 
pears from  his  journal  that  he  did  so,  from  the  latter  part 
of  July,  1&09,  till  December  of  the  same  year,  when  the 
Rev.  James  K.  Burch,  to  whom  they  had  given  an  invi- 
tation, arrived  among  them.  This  people,  who  have  since 
become  a  flourishing  congregation,  in  connexion  with 
the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  have  always  considered 
Mr.  Eastburn  as,  in  a  sort,  the  father  and  founder  of  their 
religious  society.  When  his  stated  labors  among  them 
terminated,  they  addressed  to  him  a  very  affectionate 
letter,  containing  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars,  which 
they  begged  him  to  accept,  not  as. a  remuneration  of  his 
services,  but  as  the  expression  of  their  sense  of  obligation 
to  him,  for  what  he  had  done  to  promote  their  spiritual 
interests.  He  immediately  sul)scribed  and  paid  over  this 
sum  to  their  treasurer,  to  aid  the  congregation  in  building 
their  church.  To  the  end  of  life  he  was  peculiarly  af 
tached  to  thifr  people,  and  was  much  be.oved  by  them. 

The  Sixth  rref^yterian  Church  in  Phiindelpbia  was, 
in  like  manner,  greatly  indebted,  in  it&  infant  state,  to  the 
faithful  labors  of  this  devoted  man  of  God.  While  they 
worshipped,  in  the  court-house  of  the  city,  before  the 
erection  of  the  church  edifice  which  they  now  occupy, 
he  scarcely  ever  failed  to  minister  to  tlieni  publicly,  when 
they  were  not  otherwise  supplied :  and  his  kind  and  as- 
siduous attentions  in  visiting  their  sick,  and  in  attending 
funerals  and  speaking  at  the  grave,  gave  him  a  strong  hold 
on  their  affections,  which  he  retained  to  the  last.  For 
a  series  of  years,  indeed,  he  seemed  to  be  considered  a 
kind  of  common  property  of  the  whole  religious  com- 
munity, in  the  region  where  he  was  known.  If  an  efibrt 
was  to  be  made  to  establish  religious  worship,  in  a  place 
where  it  had  seldom  or  never  been  known — ^if  appearances 
indicated  that  a  revival  of  religion  was  commencing — if 
a  destitute  portion  of  country  called  for  some  occasional 
preaching— if  extraordinary  services  were  required  at 
sacramental  seasons — if  a  minister  of  the  gosi)el,  by  rea- 
son of  sickness  or  infirmity,  could  not  perform  his  ordinary 
duties — if  addresses  were  to  be  made  on  exliaordina ry 
occasions — on  all  these  and  numerous  other  occurrences, 


■; '  i»  •' 


W^''^ 


I 


1  '                 '» 

*■      ^       ': 

76 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


H* 


Fatlier  Eastbum  was  always  looked  to,  and  ahvays,  if 
compliance  was  possible,  he  cheerfully  undertook,  and 
most  acceptably  performed,  the  services  to  which  he  was 
called.  Such  was  the  tenor  of  his  life,  till  he  in  a  measure 
became  stationary,  as  stated  preacher  in  the  Mariner^s 
Church. 


-r'f^-' 


:<*»•', 


■;?■*->»'■ 


.*r - 


■^^tm  -^f\<f^  CHA1?TER.  VI.     -^■fr' 


Continues  to  preach  to  the  sailors^  and  in  various  other 
p  places — sickness  and  death — reflections, 

Mr.  Eastburn,  as  appears  from  his  journal,  began  to 
preach  statedly  to  the  Mariners  toward  the  close  of  the 
month  of  October,  1819.  At  the  opening  for  worship 
of  the  buildings  now  known  as  the  Mariner's  Church  of 
Philadelphia,  a  compendious  narrative  was  given  of  all 
the  measures  which  had  previously  been  adopted,  in  that 
city,  for  the  religious  benefit  of  seamen;  and  of  those 
efforts  in  particular  which  had  issued  in  the  erection  of 
that  edifice.  This  narrative,  which  was  printed  and 
published  as  a  report  to  the  public,  it  seems  proper  to 
insert  entire,  in  these  memoirs.  It  contains  a  short  but 
authentic  history  of  the  commencement,  progress,  and 
completion  of  an  establishment,  of  which  Mr.  Eastburn 
may  justly  be  considered  as  the  founder :  for  although 
the  liberality  of  the  religious  public,  and  the  zealous  ex- 
ertions of  several  pious  and  public-spirited  individuals, 
were  concerned,  and  were  indeed  essential,  in  bringing 
this  establishment  to  maturity,  yet  the  labors  of  Mr. 
Eastburn  gave  origin,  animation,  and  effect  to  the  whole. 
The  narrative  will  also  make  known,  as  it  ought  to  do, 
to  all  who  may  read  these  memoirs,  the  benevolence  and 
liberality  of  some  of  the  chief  patrons  of  the  Mariner's 
Church  in  Philadelphia ;  as  well  as  exhibit  one  of  the 
happiest  and  most  important  efforts  of  Mr.  Eastburn,  in 
his  incessant  solicitude  and  unwearied  activity  in  the 
cause  of  his  divine  Master.  The  narrative  is  as  fol- 
lows:—  .  - 


'Memoirs  or  i^k  rev.  josbph  EAffrBuuf.       77 

<*  The  third  Sabbath  in  October,  1824,  was  fixed  upou 
by  the  Committee  for  opening  the  Mariner^s  Church  in 
Philadelphia.  The  da^  wsEs  very  fine,  and  the  house  %vm 
filled  at  an  early  hour  with  seamen  and  their  famifiesi 
and  many  citizens  who  jfelt  an  interest  in  the  sailors^  wel* 
fare.  It  was  supposed  that  1200,  at  Ieast»  formed  the 
congregation,  and  many  persons  who  went  to  the  church 
were  not  able  to  gain  admittance.  The  dedicatory  ser- 
vices in  the  morning  were  performed  by  the  venerable 
Joseph  Eastburn,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  James  Patter- 
son, of  the  Northern  Liberties ;  and  in  the  afternoon  a 
sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Brodhead. 
After  the  concluding  prayer  in  the  morning,  Robert 
Ralston,  Esq.  rose  and  remarked,  that  it  had  been  con- 
sidered proper,  on  this  occasion,  to  make  known  the 
commencement  and  progress  of  exertions  for  the  benefit 
of  mariners  in  this  city,  and  for  that  purpose  he  read  the 
following  statement : — 

"  The  first  public  service  for  the  Mariner^s  Church  in 
the  port  of  Philadelphia,  was  performed  on  the  third  Sab- 
bath of  October,  1819,  in  the  sail-lofl  of  Mr.  Jaccb  Dun- 
ton,  (who  generously  offered  the  same  gratuitously)  by 
the  Rev.  Joseph  Eastburn ;  this  discourse  was  from  the 
31st  and  32d  verses  of  the  107th  psalm,  *  O  that  men 
would  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness,  and  for  his  won- 
derful works  to  the  children  of  men !  Let  them  exalt 
him  also  in  the  congregation  of  the  people,  and  praise 
him  in  the  assembly  of  the  elders.' — The  Rev.  Mr.  Joyce 
being  present,  also  made  an  address,  which,  with  ^he 
discourse,  afforded  the  greatest  satisfaction.  From  five 
to  six  hundred  persons  were  present,  of  which,  at  least, 
one-half  the  number,  including  masters  of  vessels,  were 
mariners.  On  the  following  Sabbath,  a  Sunday  School 
was  opened,  between  the  morning  and  afternoon  services, 
which  hat  continued,  and  now  numbers  on  the  roll,  one 
hundred  and  sixty  children. 

The  worship  continued  in  the  sail-loft  until  the  month 
of  July,  1822,  when  a  removal  was  made  to  the  lecture 
room  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church,  in  Cherry 
street,  where  the  audience  has  generally  been  crowded, 
and  the  attendance  of  the  mariners  as  numerous  as  could 


!!• 


,  f 

■  I 


78  MEMO1R8J0F  T^  RET.  JOSEPH  EASTVtIJtM. 

be  expected,  at  &  distsnce  so  far  remold  irofo  the 
water,-  \::■^y^•if^  .         ■•;  x.,,^«i^.-,,V;1  V,?;  W 

In  the  tnoi^lh  of  June,  1823,  an  agreement  was  enter- 
ed into  by  a  few  citizens  with  the  directors  of  the  bank 
of  North  Anierica,  for  the  lot  now  occupied  as  the  site 
of  the  church,  seventy-five  feet  front  on  Water  street, 
and  sixty-one  and  a  half  feet  deep,  for  which  the  sum  of 
eight  thotisand  dollars  was  to  be  paid,  subject  to  a  lease 
of  the  .tenant,  then  in  possession.  The  contract  being 
made,  by  which  a  Jot  was  thus  secured,  subscription  pa- 
pers were  circulated  for  the  purpose  of  raising  the  amount, 
and  which,  at  the  close  of  a  few  weeks,  produced  nearly 
the  suui  of  $10,000.  This  furnished  the  means  of  com- 
plying with  the  contract  for  the  lot,  by  paying  the  eight 
thousand  dollars  to  the  directors  of  the  bank,  seven  hun- 
dred dollars  to  the  tenants  for  vacating  the  lease,  and 
leaving  about  twelve  hundred  dollars  towards  the  erection 
of  a  building.  The  conveyance  for  the  lot,  agreeably  to 
the  direc|ior«s  of  those  who  were  employed  to  solicit  sub- 
fiCriptioos,  was  made  io  Richard  IHle,  Samuel  Archer, 
and  Robert  Ralston,  in  trust,  for  the  usse  of  Ihe  mariaers 
of  the  port  of  Philadelphia.  -         .     • 

On  the  10th  of  April,  in  the  present  year,  an  agree- 
ment was  entered  into  with  Mr.  William  Strickland,  for 
a  brick  building  of  the  whole  dimensions  of  the  kit,  two 
stories  high,  constructed  for  warehouses  ia  the  lower 
story,  and  for  a  church  in  the  second  story,  having  a 
ceiling  eighteen  feet  high,  a  gallery  in  the  south  end,  and 
a  pulpit,  ^c.  in  the  north — the  building  to  be  covered  with 
slate,  and  an  observatory  of  twenty  feet  above  the  roof — 
the  whole  of  the  materials  and  workmanship  to  be  of  the 
best,  and  finished  (without  any  additional  expense)  by  the 
middle  of  the  ensuing  month,  (November,)  for  the  sum 
often  thousand  five  hundred  dollars.— To  meet  the  pay- 
ments tinder  this  contract,  which  were  to  be  month!}'  as 
the  building  progressed,  a  loan  for  the  sum  of  eight  thou- 
sand dollars  was  obtained  from  the  Savings  Fund  So- 
ciety, at  an  interest  of  five  per  cent,  per  annum,  mort- 
gaging the  lot  and  building  as  security.  The  instalments 
have  all  been  regularly  paid  ;  and  agreeably  to  a  stipula- 
tion in  the  contract,  the  balance,  after  a  release  from  all 


.■I 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


79 


leases  or  claims  for  workmanship  and  materials  furnished, 
will  be  paid  in  a  promissory  note,  at  sixty  days. 

A  statement  herewith  annexed,  exhibits  the  contribu- 
tions  received  from  the  citizens  and  insurance  companies ; 
the  sums  which  have  been  received  from  the  manners  in 
monthly  contributions ;  the  sum  obtained  on  loan ;  and  a 
balance  of  interests  arising  from  unoccupied  funds.  It 
also  exhibits  the  amount  of  payments  for  incidental  ex- 
penses— for  attending  to  the  care  and  cleaning  of  the 
rooms  used  for  worship — for  the  supply  of  books,  &c.  to 
the  Sunday  School — for  the  payment  of  the  lot  and  lease 
— for  the  instalments  on  the  building  as  far  as  they  have 
become  due, — and  for  six  months'  interest  on  the  money 
borrowed — leaving  a  cash  balance  of  $2152  52.  A 
credit  taken  for  this  balance,  and  debiting  the  payment 
yet  to  be  made  for  the  building,  with  the  loan  and  interest 
to  be  paid  on  the  1 3th  April  next,  will  make  an  a^regate 
of  $9047  48,  hereafter  to  be  provided  for. 

The  funds  raised  by  contributions  from  the  citizens, 
and  insurance  companies,  were  the  result  of  the  exer- 
tions of  twenty-two  committees,  of  two  and  three  each, 
who  very  diligently  and  successfully  pursued  their  solici- 
tations, until  the  amount  was  adequate  to  the  cost  of  the 
lot — The  plan  being  to  borrow  for  the  erection  of  the 
building,  and  calculating  to  extinguish  the  same  by  a 
sinking  fund,  arising  from  the  rents  of  the  stores,  and  the 
monthly  contributions  of  mariners.  From  the  first  of 
these  sources,  there  will  no  doubt  be  a  revenue  of  several 
hundred  dollars  per  annum ;  and  from  the  latter,  if  prop- 
erly attended  to  by  the  owners  and  masters  of  vessels,  a 
considerable  annual  income  also.  To  facilitate  the  last, 
there  has  been  prepared  and  circulated,  a  number  of  sub- 
sciption  books,  designed  to  be  brought  to  the  notice  of 
the  officers  and  crew  after  embarking,  for  the  purpose  of 
subscribing  donations  and  monthly  contributions — to  be 
paid  for  the  use  of  the  church,  at  the  end  of  the  voyage. 
From  the  experiment  which  has  been  made,  this  plan 
promises  to  be  productive,  if  it  is  properly  attended  to ; 
and  carries  with  it  the  conviction,  that  the  funds  will 
come  from  an  appropriate  source,  being  from  the  mari- 
ners themselves.    The  danger  however  of  deferring  the 

H 


,1  ^ 


60 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBVRN. 


• 


extinguishment  of  the  debt  to  the  slow  operation  of  the 
rents  and  monthly  contributions,  induces  a  suggestion, 
that  there  should  be  a  renewal  of  the  exertions  on  the 
part  of  the  citizens  who  formerly  solicited,  and  of  any 
others  feeling  interested  for  the  cause  of  the  mariners — 
who,  making  the  calls  general  instead  of  partial,  as  was 
the  case  before,  may,  in  a  short  time,  with  other  aids, 
render  the  means  equal  to  a  final  extinguishment  of  the 
debt  Hitherto  the  gospel  has  been  free  to  the  mari- 
ners;  and  Whilst  the  venerable  Pastor,  so  eminently 

aualified  to  break  the  bread  of  life  to  them,  remains  to 
ischarge  his  ministerial  duties,  it  will  continue  to  be  fur- 
nished without  money  and  without  price.  To  be  pre- 
pared however  for  a  change,  which  sooner  or  later  must 
take  place,  is  an  additional  reason,  why  exertion  should 
be  made  now,  to  render  the  institution  entirely  inde- 
pendent 

The  reflections  arising  from  a  review  of  the  peculiar 
smiles  of  Providence  attending  the  efforts  using  in  favor 
of  tlie  best  interests  of  mariners,  are  calculated  to  fill 
the  mind  with  wonder  and  astonishment  at  the  goodness 
and  mercy  of  the  Lord.  Surely  it  conveys  the  encour- 
aging hope,  that  the  set  time  to  favor  seamen  is  come. 
The  interest  excited  in  their  behalf,  was  simultaneous  on 
both  sides  of  the  Atlantic.  Only  seven  or  eight  years 
have  elapsed  since  the  public  feeling  has  in  any  measure 
been  alive  to  this  object ;  and  what  has  been  the  result, 
both  in  Europe  and  America,  since  that  period  ?  Bethel 
Unions,  Floating  Chapels,  Mariner'' s  Churches,  and  Prayer- 
Meeting  Establishments,  we  hear  of,  from  almost  every 
large  sea-port  Can  this  be  any  other  than  a  supernatu- 
ral influence  operating  at  one  and  the  same  time,  without 
concert,  without  the  knowledge  of  each  other's  exertions, 
and  yet,  all  tending  to  the  same  godlike  work  of  benev- 
olence— the  salvation  of  the  souls  of  poor  neglected 
mariners.  In  our  own  humble  sphere,  where  has  there 
been  more  evidence  of  the  favor,  and  the  blessing  of  the 
Lord  ? — where  a  greater  proof  of  the  efEcacy  of  prayer, 
than  is  witnessed  by  the  continual  solicitude  of  those  de- 
parting, for  the  prayers  of  the  church — conveying  a  man- 
ifest feeling  of  an  humble  dependence  on  the  God  of 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBVRN. 


«il 


providence  ?  And  where  a  greater  evidence  of  the  divine 
favour,  than  is  witnessed  in  the  accommodation  afibrded 
hy  the  building,  under  the  roof  of  which  we  are  assem- 
bled at  this  time  ? 

May  we  not  also  notice,  and  notice  it  with  emotions 
of  grateful  hearts,  how  the  Lord  has  spared,  and  used  as 
an  instrument  for  this  new  work,  the  smgularly  qualified, 
and  eminently  pious  pastor  of  the  Mariner's  Church? 
Nor  should  we  omit  to  notice,  the  services  rendered  from 
the  commencement  of  this  establishment  by  two  of  our 
Christian  brethren,*  who  undertook,  and  have  conducted 
the  Psalmody  of  the  Church,  in  the  most  acceptable 
manner — till  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  call  one  from  labour 
to  reward  ;t  and  who,  it  is  believed,  will  be  recollected 
by  all  the  worshippers  in  the  Mariner's  Church,  with  ap- 
probation and  heartfelt  regard." 

[The  church  is  situate  on  the  east  side  of  Water  street, 
between  Chesnut  and  Walnut  streets.] 

October  16,1824. 


Dr.    The  Marintr'M  CAttrdk,  tmth  tJte  CommittM  $mptrimteniimg  tJU  AnUmjr,  fce.    Cr. 


1824. 


To  cash  paid  the  Directors 
of  the  Bank  of  North 
America,  for  lots,  8000 

To  Tenant  for  vacating 
lease.  700 

Incidental  expenses  of  fuel,  la- 
bur,  &.C.  for  five  years,  in  the 
rooms  used  by  the  Church. 

Books,  &c.  for  the  Sunday 
SchodI,  including  discount 
for  ib"  exchange  of  uncur- 
rent  bonk  paper, 

Wm.  Strickland  for  7  instal- 
m'tnts  on  building, 

6.  Billington  for  6  months'  in- 
terest on  loan  of  8U00  dollars 
at  5  per  cent,  per  annum. 

Balance,  being  cash  in  hand. 


Balnnee  of  cont/act  to  be  paid 
Wm.  Strickland, 

Loan  from  Savings  Fund  So- 
ciety, with  six  months'  in- 
terest, due  13th  April.  1825, 


dots,  ct 


8700 


217 


7500 


00 


72 


900  00 
215252 


18845  82 


3000. 


8200 


00 


00 


11300 


00 


1834 


By   smount    of  donationa 
from  individuals.    9094  39 
Ditto,  from  Insur- 
ance Companies.  90000 


Monthly  contribution  from 

Mariners, 
Loan  from    Saving!  Fund 

Society, 
Balance  of  interet<t  by  placing 

out  unoccupied  funds, 


-;;:•*«» 


By  balance  brought  down, 
Balance  which  must  be  paid 
by  the  13th  April,  1^, 


Pkila.  16(A  October,  1834. 


doU. 
094 


800000 
156  56 


18845  82 
2153  52 
9047  48 


11200  00 


*  Mr.  John  Harned,  and  Mr.  Gilbert  Gaw. 
t  Mr.  Gaw  departed  this  life,  27th  March,  1824. 


>, 

I 


m 


^' 


■if, 


i-ii: 


h 


i'i 


¥:l 


,1  'i''^i 


IM 


1 


82 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


^K 


Among  other  letters  which  Mr.  Eastburn  had  received 

during  the  last  week,  and  read  at  the  meeting,  was  the 

following  from  Capt.  Tubbs. 

Brig  Commodore  Barry,  off"  Cape 
Henlopeny  Oct.  Wth.  1U24. 

..  My  VERY  DEAR  FRIEND, — Through  the  tender  mercy 
of  our  heavenly  Father,  we  have  proceeded  thus  far  on 
our  vovage  without  accident,  and  all  in  good  health. 
The  wind  is  fair,  and  very  soon,  if  no  accident  happens, 
will  many  waters  roll  between  you  and  us ;  and  while 
we  are  exposed  to  the  dangers  incident  to  the  watery 
element,  may  we  never  forget  that  God,  who  once  said, 
"  peace,  be  still,  and  there  was  a  great  calm." 

We  are  bound  to  a  country  where  all  are  professed 
Christians;  still  they  hardly  have  the  form,  much  less 
the  power  of  godliness — but  Christ  will  one  day  (and 
O  may  it  not  be  long,  before  he  will)  destroy  that  man  of 
sin,  with  the  bi^^htness  of  his  coming. 
jff^  To  me,  a  seafaring  life  has  become  painful,  not  only 
in  the  separation  from  one  of  the  best  of  wives,  but  from 
Christian  society ;  for  I  can  say  from  my  heart  that  I  do 
love  all  those  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  and  in 
my  darkest  hours  that  promise  has  never  failed  me, "  We 
know  that  we  have  passed  from  death  unto  life,  because 
we  love  the  brethren ;"  and  I  think  I  have  realized  the 
promise  more  than  once,  "  I  will  never  leave  thee  nor 
forsake  thee  !" — weeping  may  last  for  a  night,  but  joy 
comes  in  the  morning.  :   . 

I  have  the  happiness  to  have  with  me  this  time  two 
pious  souls — I  believe  my  second  officer  and  one  man  bc- 
iore  the  mast ;  and  in  fact  they  all  appear  to  be  fine 
moral  young  men. — B^  divine  permission  I  intend  to  es- 
tablish the  public  worship  of  God  on  boards  at  least  every 
Sabbath^  the  weather  permitting :  And  I  hope,  my  dear 
father  m  Christ,  indeed  I  am  sure,  we  shall  have  your 
fervent  prayers,  not  so  much  for  our  temporal  as  for  our 
spiritual  and  eternal  welfare.  O  how  should  this  con- 
cern every  son  and  daughter  of  Adam  !  "  What  will  it 
profit  a  man  if  he  gain  the  whole  world,  and  lose  his 
own  soul ;  or  what  will  a  man  give  in  exchange  for  his 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


83 


soul,^^  is  the  language  of  Him  who  knows  the  worth  of 
immortal  souls. 

The  pilot  is  calling,  I  must  hid  you  adieu.  Father, 
pray  for  us ;  we  know  that  the  effectual  fervent  prayer 
of  a  righteous  man  availeth  much.  You  have  mj  imper- 
feet  petitions  daily — and  may  the  God  of  all  grace  be 
with  you — may  you  have  a  Mariner's  Church  indeed, 
built  of  lively  stones,  Jesus  Christ  himself  being  the  chief 
corner-stone,  and  grow  up  to  a  holy  temple  in  the  Lord 
— are  the  sincere  prayers  of  your  affectionate  friend,    ' 

Calvin  Tubbs. 

Rev.  Joseph  Eastburn. 

During  the  five  years  which  elapsed,  from  the  time 
at  which  Mr.  E.  began  to  preach  statedly  to  seamen,  to 
that  at  which  the  Mariner^s  Church  was  opened,  he  per- 
formed many  occasional  services  in  a  variety  of  places. 
A  few  extracts  from  his  journal  during  this  perioid,  wlU 
best  exhibit  the  tenor  of  his  life  and  hie  ministenaJ  en- 
gagements. 

1820.  January,  1st  Sabbath— Preached  in  the  morn- 
ing from  Luke  xiii. :  The  barren  fig-tree.  Many  were  af- 
fected— in  the  afternoon  from  the  11th  chapter,  upon 
prayer. 

2d  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  morning  from  Deuter- 
onomy xxxii.  29 :  "  O  that  they  were  wise."  In  the  af- 
ternoon from  John  i.  45 :  "  We  have  found  him  of  whom 
Moses,"  &c. 

3d  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  morning  from  Isaiah  iii. 
10,  11  :  "Say  ye  to  the  righteous."  In  the  aflemoon 
from  Luke  xiii.  24 :  "  Strive  to  enter  in  at  the  straight 
gate." 

4th  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  morning  from  Malachi 
iii. :  "  Then  they  that  feared  the  Lord,"  &c.  In  the  after- 
noon from  John  iv. :  The  woman  of  Samaria. 

5th  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  morning  from  Daniel 
v. :  Belshazzar's  feast  and  death.  In  the  afternoon  from 
Luke  XV.,  particularly  the  prodigal  son. 

March,  1st  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  morning  from 
Matthew  xiv.  30 :  "  Lord  save  me."  In  the  afternoon 
from  1  Timothy  iv.  8;  Godliness  profitable  for  all. 


84 


MEMOIBS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


m 


■*'tU\ 


2d  Sabbath— Preached  from  Revelations  iii.  20:  "  Be- 
hold I  stand  at  the  door,"  <SiC.  In  tlie  afternoon  a  Mr. 
Harned  spok^  from  Psalm  xix.  13 :  "  Keep  back,"  kc, 

3d  Sabbath — Mr.  Thompson,  formerly  a  sailor,  spoke 
from  Luke  ii«  14:  "Good  will  to  men."  I  preached  in 
the  afternoon  from  Psalm  xlvi. :  **  God  is  our  refuge." 

May,  Ist  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  morning  from 
Psalm  xl.  first  three  verses — was  taken  very  sick  on  my 
way  home,  but  recovered  so  as  to  go  again,  and  preached 
in  the  afternoon  from  1  Peter  iv.  18 :  "And  if  the  right- 
eous, &c." 

2d  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  morning  from  Matthew 
xi.  28 :  "  Come  unto  me,"  &c.  Mr.  Muhlenberg  preached 
from  Luke  xv. :  The  parable  of  the  prodigal  son. 
-i  3d  Sabbath — Mr.  Bell  preached  in  the  morning  from 
1  John  iv.  19 :  "We  love  him  because  he  first  loved  us." 
In  the  afternoon  Dr.  M'Dowell  preached  from  Luke  xix. 
10:  "  Foir  the  soh  of  man  is  come,"  &c» 

4th  Sabbath — At  this  time  the  General  Assembly  was 
in  session,  and  several  assisted.  Mr.  Wisner  preached 
from  Hebrews  it.  3:  "How  shall  we  escape  if^"  &c. 
Mr.  William  M'Dowell,  from  Mark  xvi.  21 :  "  One  thing 
thou  lackest" 

June,  1st  Sabbath — Mr.  Calhoun  preached  from  1 
Timothy  i.  15:  "This  is  a  faithful  saying."  Mr.  Hum- 
phrey in  the  afternoon  from  Mark  iii.  7 :  Jesus  going  to 
the  sea. 

2d  Sabbath — Mr.  John  Hodge  preached  from  Matthew 
xi.  28 :  "  Come  unto  me  all  ye  that  labor,"  &c.  I  spoke 
in  the  afternoon  from  Acts  xxiv.  25 :  PauPs  reasoning  be- 
fore Felix. 

July,  4th  Sabbath — Mr.  M'Innes  preached  in  the 
morning  from  Isaiah  Ixiii.16.  I  preached  in  the  afternoon 
from  Revelation  xiv.  1 3 :  "  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven,' 
&c.  Monday  went  to  Chester — Preached  in  the  Episco- 
pal church,  by  request  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Douglas,  in  the 
evening.  Tuesday  went  with  him  to  Marcus  Hook — 
Preached  there  in  the  Baptist  meeting-house — the  peo- 
ple were  very  attentive  in  both  places.  Wednesday  went 
to  New-Castle — Preached  in  the  evening  in  the  Presby- 
terian meeting;  visited  a  charity  school  and  several  fami- 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


85 


lies,  one  woman  ver^  poorly.  Thursday  came  to  Wil- 
mington— Prearhed  in  the  Presbyterian  meetine  for  Mr. 
Gilbert,  preparatory  to  the  communion;  twelve  were 
mentioned  to  join. 

5th  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  Mariner^s  meeting  in 
the  morning,  from  Psalm  ix.  9,  10:  "And  they  that 
know  thy  name  will  put  their  trust  in  tliee."  Mr.  Dc- 
wees  preached  in  tlie  afternoon  from  Matthew  vii.:  build- 
ing on  a  rock  and  on  sand. 

August,  3d  Sabbatli — Preached  from  Jonah  iii.  2  :  The 
Lord  sending  him  the  second  time  to  Nineveh.  In  the 
afternoon  from  Matthew  xxv.:  The  parable  of  the  ten 
virgins.  An  alarm  of  the  yellow  fever  near  the  shore^ 
kept  many  away.  The  board  of  health  seat  an  order 
this  week  to  stop  our  meetings.  Upon  this  I  went  to 
see  my  friends  in  Brunswick,  and  held  meetings  there. 

4  th  Sabbatli — Preached  in  the  Presbyterian  meeting- 
house. Monday  evening  I  went  up  to  the  landios,  and 
preached  there.  Tuesday  evening  in  the .  Methodis'' 
meeting  in  Brunswick.  Wednesday  evening  for  .the  Bap- 
tists. Thursday,  being  appointed  by  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  as  a  day  of  humilia- 
tion, thanksgiving,  and  prayer,  I  preached  morning  and 
evening  in  the  meeting-house.  Friday  attended  the  fu- 
neral of  Mrs.  Applegate,  a  worthy  member.  Saturday 
came  to  Trenton  and  visited  many  of  my  friends  there. 

September,  1st  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  Presbyterian 
meeting-house,  and  was  favored  with  sweet  freedom  in 
almost  every  exercise,  and  experienced  great  kindness 
in  every  place.  On  Monday  returned  home  and  found 
all  safe.  -  , 

September,  2d  Sabbath — Attended  the  communion  in 
the  morning  with  Dr.  Neil — Preached  in  the  afternoon 
at  the  Orphan  Asylum,  and  in  tlie  evening  for  Dr.  Jane- 
way,  in  the  society  rooin, 

3d  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  morning  in  Fort  Mifflin 
to  the  soldiers  there ;  in  the  afternoon  in  the  garrison  on 
the  shore,  to  the  soldiers  there ;  many  of  the  neighbours 
around  attended ;  we  held  worship  under  the  trees  $  the 
officers  and  men  behaved  well,  and  some  were  affected. 
Wednesday  went  to  Burlington,  and  preached  in  the  even- 


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MCMQIRS  Ot  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


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iuff  there.  Tliuraday  went  to  Moant  Holly,  and  preach- 
ed in  the  ereiUDg  there. 

4th  Sabbath— S'reached  in  the  morning  in  Haddonfield, 
and  in  the  evening  in  Moorestown;  all  places  well  at- 
tendedk 

:r  October,  Ut  Sabbath — ^Preached  in  the  Navy- Yard  in 
'the  morning,  and  in  the  Hospital  in  the  afternoon :  good 
attention  in  both. 

2d  Sabbath — Attended  the  Lord's  Sapper  with  Dr. 
Brodhead,  and  ga've  an  exhortation— Preached  in  the 
afternoon  for  the  poor  in  the  Bettering  House. 

3d  Sabbath-^Attended  the  Germans  at  the  Academy 
In  the  morning,  who  have  English  preaching ;  in  the  af- 
ternoon with  the  Moravians  at  their  communion ;  in  the 
evening  with  Dr.  Janeway,  in  the  society  house. 

4th  Sabbatb-x^AsBifited  Mr.  M^lnnes  in  opening  the 

meeting  in  Thirteenth  street,  ki- the  mornings  attended 

i^ild^'Meiftls  to  Ihe  new  Baptist  meeting  ground,  and 

Bieadied  &e#e  In  the  aftemboiribF  Mr.  Griffin,  his  wife 

being  one  th»t  was  buried. 

5m  Sabbath — ^Attended  a  funeral  to  the  Moravhin 
ground^  and'spoke  at  the  grave :  preached  in  the  aftei^ 
noonut  tlite  Orphan  Asylum ;  walked  there  and  home. 
'  November,  Ist  Sabbath — ^Renewed  the  Mariner's  meet- 
ing. Preached  in  the  morning  from  Hosea  vi.  1 :  "  Come 
and  let  us  return."  Dr.  Brodhead  -assisted  me  in  the 
afternoon :  the  meetings  were  crowded. 

2d  Sabbath' — Preached  from  a  part  of  the  107th 
Psaim,  being  a  stormy  dav,  on  sailors.  Dr.  Janeway 
preached  in  the  afternoon  ^om  1  John  ii.  3. 

1821.  January,  1st  Sabbath — I  spoke  from  John  i.  45 : 
"We  have  found  him,"  &c.  Mr.  Kennedy  in  the  after- 
noon from  Jude,  12th  and  13th  verdes. 

2d  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  morning  from  1  Chron- 
icles xxviii.  9 :  "  And  thou  Solomon  my  son,"  &c.  Mr. 
Scott  in  the  afternoon  from  John  viii.  12:  'M  am  the 
Kght  of  the  world."  Some  sailors  returned,  who  gave  a 
good  account  of  a  reformation. 

3d  Sabbath — A  new  flag  was  raised  at  the  Mariner's 
meeting,  with  stars,  dove,  and  anchor.  I  spoke  in  the 
morning  from  Hebrews  vi.  from  the  nth  verse  to  the  end. 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBUSN. 


87 


Mr.  Osburn,  io  the  afternoon,  upon  our  Lord^s  iamentiog 
over  Jerusalem. 

April,  3d  Sabbath— 4'reached  in  the  moniing  from  Jc^n 
i.  10,  li :  *^He.  came  unto  his  owb,'^  &c.  £&.  JanewAj 
in  the  afternoon  (torn  Romans  viii.  6 :  **  To  be  carnally 
minded  is  death,^*  'kc.  This  week  made  mj  report  io  the 
Presbytery,  and  had  prayer  meetings  on  board  different 
vessels.  '^^^  «  « 

-4th  Sabbath — Mr.  Osbum  preached  in  the  morning 
from  Matthew  v.  6..  A  Mr.  Allen,  just  from  London,  in 
the  afternoon  from  fsaiah  xlv.  22 :  **  Look  imto  me,.''^  Sic, 
I  had  to  take  a  coDsidera1[>le  part,  in  each  of  the  meetines. 
.5th  Sabbath — Lectured  on  the  first  10  verses  of  £e 
12th  chapter  2d  Corinthians:  PauPs  vision  of  heaven. 
Mr.  Kennedy  preached  in  the  afternoon  from  Zechariali 
ix.  12 :  The  strong  hold.  I  had  to  speak  afterwards,  as 
many  appeared  to  be-^nder  serious  concern. 

July,  5th  Sabbath— Mr.  Osburn  in  the  momin^ii^ii%^ 
turedonthe  5th  chapter  to  the  Esh^ikiBi^  IbHowed. 
In  the  afterhoonr  1  Bptake  Urom  Mlark  v.  15:  The  man 
possessed  deliveped. 

August,  1st  Sabbadi^-I  spoke  from  Hebrews  ^.  24 : 
"By  faith,  Moses,  when  he,^^  &c.  Addressed  Sabbath 
schools  between  meetings,  and  assisted  again  in  tiie  Mar- 
iner^s  meeting  in  the  afternoon.  Mr.  Kennedy  spoke 
from  Isaiah  xlii.  16. 

2d  Sabbath — Preached  in  the  morning  at  sunrise  in  the 
Northern  Liberties.  Mr.  Osburn  preached  for  ^e  Mar- 
iners at  10  oVlock,  from  Proverbs  viii.  17.  .1  spoke  in 
the  afternoon  from  Matthew  xiv.  30,  last  part :  **  Lord 
save  me,^'  &c.  On  Tuesday  went  to  Princeton,  and  at- 
tended the  Theological  Seminary  in  the  evening.  Wed- 
nesday attended  at  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Stewart,  and 
went  to  Brunswick.  ~  Thursday  evening  spoke  in  the 
Presbyterian  meeting.     Friday  went  to  New- York. 

3d  Sabbath — Preached  morning  and  evening  in  the 
Mariner's  meeting.  Monday  evening  had  prayer  meeting 
on  board  a  vessel  at  a  wharf.  Tuesday  had  worship  on 
board  the  ship  Franklin  74.  Wednesday  evening  in  the 
Mariner's  church.  Thursday  evening  spoke  for  Dn 
Spring  in  a  large  session-house.     Friday  evening  had  a 


■¥i 


:^ 


88 


MCMOmS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBVRN. 


prayer  meeting  on  beard  of  a  ship  at  the  shore ;  many 
attended. 

4th  Sabbath — Preached  morning  and  evening  in  the 
Mariner^s  church ;  very  crowded  in  the  evening,  and 
very  attentive.  Monday  visited  the  Orphan  Asylum,  and 
gave*  an  address  to  them  by  the  request  of  Divie  Beth- 
une,  Esq.,  who  kindly  received  me  to  his  house,  and 
conducted  me  to  many  places.  Tuesday  returned  to 
Brunswick,  preached  there  again  on  Wednesday  evening, 
and  returned  home. 

November,  Ist  Sabbalh — ^Mr.  Mead  preached  from 
2  Timothy  ii.  15 :  "  Study  to  show,"  &c.  Mr.  Kennedy 
in  the  afternoon  from  Acts  xi.  33 :  **  Exhorting  with  pur- 
pose of  heart,"  &c. 

3d  Sabbath — I  lectured  on  the  103d  Psalih,  as  several 
seamen  had  experienced  deliverihg  mercy.  Mr.  Wilmer, 
an  Episcopal  minister,  in  the  afternoon,  from  Isaiah  Iv. 


.  ■■r'''^*.. 


si  9abti8&— 'I^^rteadbed  from  Galatians  iii.  34 :  ^  Where- 
fore the  hw  is  our  achoohnaater,**  &€•  Mr.  Kennedy 
£rom  Philippians  iii.  3 :  *^  We  are  the  circumcieaon,"  &e. 
Nineteen  seamen  signed  their  request  to  be  remembered 
this  day  in  prayer. 

1833.  December,  5th  and  last  Sabbath  in  the  year — 
Spoke  from  Jeremiah  viii.  30.  Mr.  Osburn  in  the^  after- 
noon from  Isaiah  Ivii.  31 :  ^^  There  is  no  peace,"  &c.  I 
read  'some  interesting  accounts  of  Ihe  conversion  of  sea- 
men. A  quaker  woman  preacher  requested  hberty  to 
speak,  and  did. 

1833.  February,  4th  Sabbathr—I  spoke  from  3  Cor. 
viii.  9 :  "  For  ye  know  the  grace,"  &c.,  and  attended  the 
communion  in  the  3d  Presbyterian  church.  Dr.  Bfod- 
head  spoke  in  the  afternoon  from  Genesis  vii.  1 :  ^*Come 
thou  and  all  thy  family  into  the  ark," — we  had  much  en- 
couragement with  the  seamen  all  day — many  appeared 
deeply  affected. 

July,  1st  Sabbath — Lectured  on  the  7th  of  Matthew, 
particularly  the  34th  verse:  A  good  foundation.  Mr. 
Osburn  in  the  afternoon  fron^  Joshua  xxiv.  15:  ^'  As  for 
me  I  will  serve  the  Lord." 

3d  Sabbath — 1  lectured  on  the  8tb  of  Romans,  partic- 


-*-«w 


MEMOIRS  OF  TB£  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN* 


89 


ularly  the  14th  vene:  The  leading  of  the  Spirit  Dr. 
Saiigent  assisted  in  the  afternoon  from  the  138th  Psalm. 
On  Tuesday  I  went  to  Trenton,  and  had  meeting  in  the 
Presbyterian  meeting-houiBe  mormng,  afternoon,  and  even- 
ing; several  ministers  attended  a  concert  meeting;  vent 
with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clark  to  Ftemington,  tmd  haA  meet- 
ings through  the  week  in  different  DNuresi  on  Sahba^  I 
spoke  in  Uie  meeting-house  in  the  aay,  an^  at  the  eourt- 
house  in  Ihe  evening;  many  attended  and  some  were 
much  affected,  old  and  young ;  went  to  Amwell ;  preachi 
ed  in  the  Rev.-Mr.  Kirkpatrick^s  meeting-house  and  other 
places ;  on  Saturday  had  meeting  in  the  church  at  Flem-' 
ington  preparatory  to  the  communion ;  alao  in  the  even- 
ing. Sabbath  morning  at  6  o^clock — ^At  half  past  lO,' 
when  the  ordinance  was  attended,  there  wad  half  an 
hour^s  intermission,  when  I  preached  again;  also  in  the 
evening  in  the  couit-house,  and  next  dav  in  the  meming, 
when  we  had  the  most  solemn  and  affecting  m^^ti$fggSi^ 
ever  saw.  I  then  went^to  NBrnntwkk»  ipalil  ttiN* 
evenings  there,  and  iMfeit  the  fint  d«fof  Ai^^  to  New- 
Yoik.  On  mfirB^  Sahbath  I  8p<dce  in  the  MarinerV 
meeting^  there,  morning  and  evening ; ,  many  attended. 
Monday  evening  attended  the  concert  of  prayer'With 
Dr.  Spring.  Tuesday  afternoon  had  meetii^  in  the 
Mariner^  church;  several  ministers  attended,  and  in  the' 
evening  had  meeting  on  hoard  a  ship,  which  was  well  at- 
tended. On  Wednesday  returned^  to  Brunswick,  spdce 
there  again,  and  returned  home  on  Saturday^  and  found 
it  safe.  ': 

September,  Ist  Sabbath-^Lectured  on  the  12th  chap- 
ter of  2  Corinthians.  Mr.  Abels,  a  mariner,  assisted  m 
the  afternoon.  On  Tuesday  went  towards  New-Hope; 
preached  in  the  evening ;  the  next  day  at  New>Hope  in 
the  meeting-house,  and  mthe  evening  at  a  privates  honse^ 
then  went  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clark,  preached  at  different 
places  until  we  arrived  at  Flemington,  and  there  again.   ' 

2d  Sabbath — Addressed  the  Sabbath  school  in  the 
meeting-house,  and  preached  three  times  in  it  through  the 
day  and  evening ;  had  meetings  daily  around  the  country 
in  private  houses.  ,/j 

3d  Sabbath — Preached  five  miles  from  the  town  in  ft 


V 


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90 


MEMOIRS  OF  TBfi  BEY.  JOSEPH  EA8TBURN. 


meetinff-faouse,  and  assisted  in  the  evening  in  the  town; 
nett  dajr  preaehed  in  the  meeting-hoiise,  and  afiec- 
tioBately  the  people  came  upto  bid  me  farewell^  but  had 
a  serious  meeting  with  some  of  them  in  the  evening  at 
Mr.  Clark'*8  house.  Tuesda^y  came  back  to  New-Hope, 
preached  for  Mr.  SteadifoM  in  hit  meeting  in  the  after- 
noon^and  in  an  academy  at  night;  next  day  at  Mrs. 
Neiy^s  house  in  <he  afternoon ;  next  morning  in  Solesbury 
meeting«4iou8et  and  in  the  evening  at  Mr.  WinekoopV 
Friday  returned  home  in.  safety,  and  found  it  safe ;  thanks 
be  to  the  Lord  for  all  his  goodness  to  a  poor  unworthy 
creature.      - 

4th  Sabbalh — Preached  in  the  Manners^  meeting  in 
the  morning  from  Luke  xix.  10:  **T6e  son  of  man  is 
come  to  seek  and  save,^^&c.  Dr.  £ly  preached  in  the 
•fitemoon  very  seriously. 

|824)r  MarcK  4th  Sabbath— Lectured  on  the  11 6th 
Paakn^  by  requ^t  of  a  pious  friend.  Mr.  Kennedy  spoke 
in  the  9^ikHfibo»isom  Luke  xix.  10.- 

The  foHowing ui^ oinrdeikr  fHend, Mr. Gilbert Gaw, 
who  constantly  attended  with- us  and  read  the  lioe^iii 
Rtogkig^  departed  to  his  heavenly  home,  after  being  in  a 
heavenly  frame  of  mind  all  day. 

April,  1st  Sabbath>--Spoke  from  Revelations  xiv.  14 : 
^*  Blessed- are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord.^^  Dr.  Brodr 
head  in  the  afternoon  from  Mark  xiii.  35 :  *^  Watch  ye,^* 

&c.  :-         -  ■ -"'    ■  ': ••         ••■•-.• 

2d  Sal4>ath — Spoke  from  the  23d  chapter  of  Job: 
"Oil  that  I  knew  where  I  might  find  him."  A  Mr.  Fer- 
tilMon  assisted  in  the  afternoon,  and  spoke  upon  the  first 
day.  Sabbath. 

3d  Sabbath—Lectured  on  the  28th  chapter  of  Matthew, 
being  Eister  Sunday;  Mr.  Hannah,  a  Methodist  minister, 
from  England,  spoke  from  Romans  viii.  1.  This  week  I 
made  my  report  to  Presbytery,  which  gave  full  satisfac- 
tion. 

August,  1st  Sabbath — Mr.  M*Iver  spoke  in  the  mom~ 
ing  from  Ecclesiastes  tu  9 :  ^*  Know  thou,"  &c.  Mr. 
Scott  in  the  afternoon  from  Proverbs  v.  10,  11:**  And 
thou  mourn  at  the  last,"  &;c.  I  had  to  take  part  in  both; 
we  had  a  crowded  and  solemn  meeting,  day  and  evening. 


^ 


HBBfeoui  or  Tmt  RET.  josBFfl  lAmnnDt 


n 


c.  2d  Sabbatic— Mr.  Samuel  HelfebsteiQ  tpokefrom  1  Tim- 
othy iv.  8 :  ^  Godliness  is  profitable  unto  all  things,^*  Sic, 
In  me  afterridon  Mr.  Charles  Nassau  from  Amos  iv.  13 : 
**  Prepare  t(r meet  thy  God,"  &c, 

3d  Sabbath — I  lectured  on  the  epistle  of  Jude  to  « 
crowded  congregation  of  sailors.  Dr.  Sargent  in  thft 
afternoon  spdke  from  Deuteronomy  yiii.  2:  **  And  thou' 
shalt  remember,'^  &c. 

4th  Sabbath— Lectured  on  the  14th  of  Matthew,  from 
the  16th  verse ;  had  many  seamen,  attentive.  •  In  the  af- 
ternoon Mr.  Mi^ffin  spoke  from  Mtdah  ii.  10 :  "•  Arise 
ye,^^  &c.  This  week  I  went  to  Baltimore,  and  was  kindly 
received  by  many  friends,  and  spoke  in  several  places  of 
worship;  on  the  last  Sabbath  in  Ac^st,  and  the  first 
Sabbath  in  September,  in  each  momitis,  at^the  head  of 
the  basin,  and  m  the  afternoons  at  FeH^s  Point,  in  sail- 
Ibfts,  and  two  evenings  in  a  large  school-room,  and  the 
people  were  very  attentive,  and  many  affect($d;  aHMy' 
seamen  itttended-  there  also;  several  capl«Fns  ef  vessen 

appeared  to  be  jNOtiii  meit 

October,  Isl  Sabbath^^Lectured  on  tiie  6th  of  Daniel; 
and  on  his  character*  Mr.  Scott  spoke  in  the  afternoon 
from  Revelation  i.  7 :  ^  Behold  he  cometh,"  &.c. 

2d  Sabbath— Lectured  on  the  4th  chapter  ;of  2  Tim- 
othy, particularly  Pa'i^^s  departure  at  hand.  Young  Mr. 
Taylor  in  the  afternoon  from  Deuteronomy  xxxii.  29 1 
"  Oh  that  they  were  wise" — this  was  our  last  Mariners* 
meeting  in  Cherrv-street,  and  a  solemn  day ;  the'seamea 
returned  thanks  K>r  the  use  of  the  place  to  the  Sessi^ 
and  Corporation.  "f^ 

""  3d  Sabbath — Began  worship'  in  the  i^ew  Mariners* 
church,  being  the  same  Sabbath  of  the  year  that  worship 
began  for  seamen  five  years  before-;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Patter- 
son assisted  in  the  morning,  and  read  Solomon *s  dedica- 
tion of  the  Temple,  and  made  some  remarks  upon  it  and 
prayed;  many  attended.  I  then  spoke  from  Genesis 
xxviii.  part  of  the  17th  verse:  "  This  is  none  other  but 
the  house  of  God ;  this  is  the  gate  of  heaven."  Mr.  Ral- 
ston read  an  account  of  the  commencement  of  the  meet- 
ing antl  of  the  building — ^an  anthem  was  sung;  The  Rev. 


"JWl"|ii<H»«P>Wi'n|i;wl^iif' 


.^. 


n 


MBMOma  OP  THE  REV.  JOBfiPR  EASTBURIC 


Dr.  Brodhead  preached  m  the  afternoon  from  3  Chron- 
icles vii.  16. 

1825.  Janearj,  Ist  Sabbath-r-I  spoke  from  the  13Ui 
of  Luke :  The  barren  fig-tree.  Mr.  Gary,  from  Calcutta, 
in  the  afternoon  from  Psalm  nxiv.  8 :  ^  Taste  and  see,^* 
•&c.   . 

'  April,  1st  Sabbath,  Easter-r-I  lectured  on  the  28th  of 
Matthew  in  the  morning.  Mr.  Matthews,  an  £piseopal 
minister,  in  the  afternoon,  spoke  a  few  words. 

2d  Sabbath — I  spoke  i^pon  erieving  and  Quenching  thfe 
influence  of  the  Spirit  Mr.  Cary  in  the  auemooa  from 
Psalm  Ixxii,  Jl  7 :  *^  All  nations  shall  call  him  blessed."  - 

Sd  Sabbath — Lectured  on  the  first  5  verses  of  the  3d 
chapter  of  Solomon-s  Son^.  Bishop  White  preached 
Irom  1  Corinthians  xv.  56,  m  the  afternoon. 

4th  Sabbath^^Lectured  on  the  5th  of  Daniel.  Mr. 
SamQel  Lawrence^  Acts  iii.  19.  1  made  my  report  ta 
llift  Fresh jte^  last  week. 

July,  Ist  SiM>bath7— I  lectured  on  the  3d  chapter  of 
Jonah  in  die  morning.  Mr.  Mitchebnore  in  the  after- 
noon. This, week  I  went  with  Mr;  Steott  t^New.  Ca^. 
I  spoke  there  on  Wednesday  eveninc  in  the  Presbyterian 
meeting-house  i  next  day  went  to  Salem,  and  spoke  there* 
Went  to  Bridgetown  on  Friday^  spoke  there  in  the  Court 
House;  the  place  crowded.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Hofi*  pre- 
vailed on  me  to  stay  with  him  over  Sabbath.  I  spoke  on 
Saturday  preparatory  to  the  Lord^s  Supper;  again  on 
Sabbath  morning.  In  the  aftemooa  spoke  in  the  Baptist 
n^eting-house.  On  Monday  went  with  Mr.  Hoft*  toward 
Cape  May.  Tuesday  spoke  in  a  school-house.  Wednesday 
Mr.  Hoff  spokfi  in  the  meeting-house ;  Mr.  Scott  and  my- 
self assisted.  On  Friday  I  spoke  in  the  same  place.  On 
Sabbath  morning  Mr.  Scott  also  spoke  there ;  I  8pok<e  in 
the  afternoon  to  a  very  attentive  copgregation.  We  re- 
turned home  on  Thursday  morning,  having  been  kindly 
directed  by  the  good  providence  of  the  M>rd  in  all  the 
way. 

4th  Sabbath — I  again  attended  our  Mariner^s  church ; 
weather  very  warm. 

5th  Sabbath — I  lectured  on  the  96th  Psalm,  but  could 
not  attend  in  the  afternoon. 


MEBfOiaA  or  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EABTBURN. 


93 


Sjn>leinber,  Sd  Sabbeth — I  apoke  from  3  KinoB  yii.  3, 
4 :  The  leprous  men.  Mr.  Mitcbelmore  in  the  auernoou 
from  dd  or  John :  Tlie  brazen  serpent  I  was  enabled 
to  attend  both  parts  of  the  day  and  spoke  in  the  close. 
This  week- 1  went  to  Princeton,  spoke  in  the  Seminary 
and  at  the  College ;  went  to  Briinawickt  spoke  in  the 
Presbyterian  and  Ijovr  Dutch  churches ;  from  there  to 
Flemington,  spoke Ihere,  and  several  places  around  there; 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Clark  was  with  me,  and  assisted ;  we  were 
much  encouraged. 

1B26.  February,  3d  Sabbath~I  spoke  from  1  Tim- 
otliy,  i.  15 :  "^  This  is^faithAil  saying,''  &c.  Mr.  Mitcbel- 
more in  the  afternoon  lectured  on  the  36th  of  Matthew* 

3d  Sabbath — I  lectured  on  part  of  the  32d  of  Genesis.: 
Abraham  offering  Isaac.  Dr.  Ely,  in  the  afternooid,  spoke 
from  3  Corinthians,  iy.  17. 

4th  Sabbath — I  spoke  from  Revelations  xiv.  1 3.  Mr. 
Eustace  spolce  in  the  afternoon.  We  then  attendesNIift 
funeral  of  our  good  friend.  Commodore  Dale  $  te  Mari- 
ners went  together  irom  the  churchy  and  the  ehHdmi 
belonging  ^  the  Sabbath  school  of  the  church,  aiKin 

order*  ^  ^  ' 

May^  1st  Sabbath— 4  spoke  from  Romans  xiv.  17.  Mr. 
Mitcbelmore  oin  redeeming  time.. 

3d  Sabbath — I  lectured  on  the  3d  of  the  Acts,being  v  rhai 
is  called  Whitsuntide.  Mr.  R&msey  spoke  in  the  after- 
noon from  1  Thessalonians  v.  19:  "Quench  not  ve 
Spirit" 

3d  Sabbath — ^The  General  Assembly  were  in  sessiofi, 
and  several  of  them  attended.  Mr.  Woodbridge  spoke 
in  the  morning  from  Isaiah  Iv.  3:  "Wherefore  do  ye 
spend  money,"  &c. — Mr.  Curry  lectured  in  the  afternoon 
from  Matthew  xi.  19. 

<«  4th  Sabbath — ^Dr.  Jennings  preached  in  the  morning 
from  Hebrews  vi.  19:  The  anchor  of  hope— -well  ap- 
plied. Mr.  Casner  in  the  afternoon,  from  Isaiah  Iv.  first 
3  verses. 

July,  3d  Sabbath — I  was  at  Reading,  spoke  in  Dr. 
Greir's  church,  and  addressed  the  Sunday  schools  who 
collected  in  the  church  in  the  afternoon. 

4th  Sabbath — I  supplied  for  Mr.,  Nsissau  «^t.  Providence 


!^- 


\-> 


04 


BIBMOnS  or  THE  RKT.  JOSBPH  EAiTBtTRll. 


in  the  morning,  and  at  Ndrristown  in  the  evening,  and 
had  several  pfajer  meetines  in  the  week :  also  attended 
ft  public  meetine  with  the  Rer.  Mh  Clay«  in  his  chnreh. 
Tue  Lord  kindly  supported  me,  and  brought  me  home 
in  safety,  and  this  week  had  a  meeting  on  "board  the  Ship 
Algonquin;  many  attended ;  very  orderly. 

5th  Sabbath — Attended  the  Mariner^i  church  in  the 
morning;  not- well.  -        --  ;   ■ 

;>  -  September,  3d  Sabbath — The  se&men  of  ^e  Ship 
Benjamin  Rush  presented  a  small  ship  to  the  Marinehi* 
church,  and  desired  to  fix  it  there,  which  was  allowed. 
The  captain  named  it  Beulah,  from  the  62d  chapter  of 
Isaiah,  4th  verse.  I  therefore  read  the  whole  chapter, 
made  some  remarks  on  it,  and  then  proceeded  to  im- 
prove-the  difierent  parts  of  a  ship,  and  the  blessing  of 
navigation  in  discovering  our  land  of  liberty.  Mr.  Mal- 
colm spoke,  in  die -afternoon  from  the  10th  Psalm,  13th 


4fli  l^bbalb— I  lectured  on  the  3d  chapter  of  Jonah ; 
was  onweH;  did  not  go  back  in  the  afternoon. 
^October,  3d  Sabbath-^Being't>ur  annlveisary,  sev^ 
years  since  we  began  Mariner^s  church.  I  spoke  In  the 
morning  from  H^ai  ii.  9i  *»The  glory  of  the  latter 
house,^  &c.  Mr.  Eustace  in  the  afternoon  from  Hebrews 
X.  30 :  "  Vengeance  bekingeth,"  &e. 

Nov.  3d  Sabbath — I  was  at  Baltimore  at  the  opening 
of  the  Marine^'^s  meeting.  I  spoke  in  the  morning  from 
Ha^ai  ii.  9.  Rev.  Mr.  Henshaw  in  the  afternoon  from 
Romans  vi.  23 :  **  Tlie  wages  of  s^n  is  death.^^  We  had 
meetings  every  evening  while  I  was  there  in  different 
places. 

'  4th  Sabbath— I  spoke  in  our  Mariner^s  church  from 
the  14th  chapter  of  Mark.  Mr.  Eustace  in  the  afternoon 
from  Romans  viii.  28 :  "  All  things  work  together  for 
good,'"  &c. 

1837.  January,  1st  Sabbath — I  spoke  from  Matthew 
vi.  33 :  "  But  seek  ye  first  the  kingdom,^^  &lc.  Rev.  Mr. 
Shed,  Preacher  to  Mariners  in  New-Orleans,  spoke  upon 
repentance,  from  several  passages; 

3d  Sabbath — I  spoke  from  Numbers  xxiii.  10;  "Let 
me  die  the  death  of  the  righteous,"  &c.    Not  being  well. 


»»• 


BftMomg  or  TiiS  REV.  Kunspfi  CASTBvmr. 


9$ 


hureh  in  the 


Atid  the  weather  cold,  I  did  not  go  in  the  a/lemooo.  Mr. 
Mitchelmore  engaged  to  attend. 

4th  S.abbath----Mr.  Shed  spoke  in  the  morning  from 
S  Corinthians  v.  17.  Mr.  Fowler  in  the  afternoon  fiwn 
2  Timothy  it.  €^  7,  8.  I  addressed  the  children^  and 
took  part  morning  and  afternoon. 

i^pril,  2d  Sabb^h — Mr.  Dasluel  spoke  from  Numbers 
xxiii.  10:  "Let  me  die,"  kc,  Mr.  Mead inihe Vtemoon 
from  John  v.  39 :  "  Search  the  Scriptures,"  &c,  I  took 
part  each  time,  aiid  attended  a  funeral  of  a  8aik>r.    ^ 

3d  Sabbathf--L  spoke  from  Romans  iv.  25 ;  "  Who 
was  delivered  for  our  6£G$nccs,"  kc»  Mr.  Mitchehnore 
from  Acts  xxiv.  16:.  "A  conscience  void  of  ofieac«i^* 
kc.  -     '  ^-      .■  ^ ..-..■-:,  ,*I 

Made  my  report  to  Presbytery  last  week. 

4th  Sabbath-— I  lectured  on  th^  6th  of  Hebrews,  pai^ 
ticularly  the  19fh  versed  The  anchor  of  hope—^thiJi. has 
been  blessed  heretofore.  Mr.  MHthehn^ire  spoke  ji|Hfb# 
afternoon  from  Isaiah  Kii.  I :  **  Whor  h^b;  IfmKNff  dar 
report,"  and  gave  a  fareiSreH  addrc^s^  * 

5tK  &bba|&-^l  spoke  front  1  Timothy  iV.  8  :^"  Godli- 
ness is  profifoble  unto  all  things,"  Szc.  Mr.  Livingstoii 
fi^om  Matthew  V.  20:  "Except your  riglUeousncss  shall 
exceed,"  &,c. 

May,  Ist'Sabbath — I  lectured  on  the  3d. of  Acts.  Dr. 
Janeway  spoke  from  2  Corinthians  jiv.  18* 

2d  Sabbath — 1  lectured  on  the  6th  of  Daniel,  partico'- 
larly  on  pray  en  M&  Kennedy  spoke  from  9  Thessalo^ 
nians.        «  "      .     .  •    j  '^ 

3d  Sabbath— Mr.  Williams,  from  Baltimore,  spoke 
from  Matthew  xi.  28 :  "  Come  unto  me  all  ye  that  labour 
and  are  heavy  laden,"  &c.  Mr.  Nevins  of  Baltimore,  in 
the  afternoon. 

4th  Sabbatli— rMr.  Baker  spoke  on.  standing  idle  all  the 
day.    Mr.  Kirkpatrick  from  2d  Psalm :  "  Kiss  the  son," 

June,  Ist  Sabbata — I  lectured  on  the  2d  chapter  of 
Acts.  Many  ministers  being  in  the  city,  several  came 
and  assisted ;  some  from  the  General  Synod  bf  the  Low 
Dutch  church — They  spoke  well  on  difierent  subjects. 

12 


II 


i^ 


■  f 


■h. 
i 

i' 


I, 


96 


MtMOlM  or  THfi  EEV.  JOSEPH  BAATBiniN. 


'thit  week  I  mrav  very  unwell,  and  applied  for  help  Hi 
the  Mariuer^s  church,  which  1  now  expect 

3d8ahbath— I  spoke  from  the  d3d  of  Ezekiel:  The 
wamini^  of  the  watchman ;  and  endeavoured  to  be  faitb> 
All,  not  eitpectine  to  be  able  to  attend  there  much  longer 
It  was  a  very  solemn  time. 

4th  Sabbisth-^Mr.  Efashiel  supplied' for  me  morning 
tnd  afternoon.' 

Mr.  Eastbum^s  journal  terminates  with  the  last  date 
mentioned  above.  It  appears  that  he  apprehended  the 
ipeedj  close  of  his  ministerial  labours;  nor  was  his  ap- 
prehension unfounded;  On  a  loose  piece  of  paper  found 
m  the  little  book  in  which  he  kept  his  journal,  he  wrote 
as  follows : — 

^*F6r  fheMaryner'^s  Church,  Jum  24,  1827. 
^Jfo  lecture  from  the  25th  verse  of  the  6th  chapter 
"SaXingi^aiid  the  foHowiiig  chapter,  as  the  Lord  piay  4i- 
rect.-^^ng  79th  hymn,  1^  book,. bi^nning  with  the  3d 
verse — 25th  Psalm,  2d  part,  S.  Jf.  \  Where  shall  tfaejnan 
be  found'— dJSth  Psalm,  2d  part,  *  Joy  to  the  ivorld,  ^ 
Lord  >8  come.\  I  wasnot  able  to  attend  on  the  above 
day,  but  was  confined  at  home.'' 

Thus  ii- appears  that  this  faithful  servant  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  inMide  a  preparation  for  addressing  his  chai^, 
which  he  was  never  able  to  use — a  preparatidn,  neither 
longer  nor  shorter  than  those  whicii  he  usually  made. 
Once  after  this,  as  we  shall  have  occasion  elsewhere  to 
mention,  and  once  only,  he  appeared  before  the  inter- 
esting people  to  whom  his  heart  and  his  prayers  were 
ardently  devoted,  and  by  whom,  in  return,  he  was  be- 
loved with  truly  filial  and  fervent  aftection*  But  on  that 
occasion  he  was  able  to  take  but  a  small  part  in  the  pub- 
lic service. 

It  seems  proper  that  the  effect  of  Mr.  E^stbum's  la- 
bours among  seamen  should  here  be  more  distinctly  and 
connectedly  stated  than  is  done  in  his^  journal.  For  this 
purpose,  ^  writer,  before  proceeding  with  his  narrative, 
will  avail  himself  of  the  report  which  was  made  and  pub- 


MEH0IS8  or  THl  HBV.  JOSEPH  EASTBUSN. 


97 


lished  tlve  year  preceding  that  in  the  beginning  of  which 
Mr.  £.  died. 

**  By  the  first  publication  relative  to  the  religioui  in* 
ftructien  of  Mariners  in  the  port  of  Philadelphia,  it  will 
be  seeii,  that  the  attention  to  this  object  commenced  on 
the  thii^  Sabbath  of  October,  1819;  and  under  favour 
of  Providence,  it  has  continued  to  the  present  time,  now 
seven  years,  with  uninterrupted  encouiragement  and  suc- 
cess—nnanifesting  that  the  Divine  blessing  has  attended 
this  labour  of  love. 

The  building  which  has  been  erected  as  a  Mariner^s 
Church,  being  situated  near  to  the  Delaware  river,  in  the 
very  centre  m  the  shipping  business  of  the  city,  not  only 
affords  accommodation  to  about  twelve  hundred  persons, 
but  also  fumifihes  warehouses,  producing  a" rent  of  $873 
per  annum. 

The  edifice  is  contracted  in  such  a  manner  as  \fk^titk 
ford  three  avenues  to  the  Church,  and  sizop^ningi^  the- 
stores;  and  thus  these  o4)Jects  are  prevented  from  inter- 
fering with  one  ano^r. 

From  the  ^opening  of  the  church  to  the  present  time,^ 
the  worshipping  assemblies  have  been  generally  very  nu- 
merous, ana  in  some  instances  «o  large  that  many  per- 
sons, who  could  not  be  accommodated,  were  obliged  to 
depart  In  no  instance  has  the  Church  been  Mosed  on 
the  SiU>batb  throughout  the  year :  and  on  but  one  occa- 
sion has  the  venerable  Pastor  been  prevented,  by  indis- 
position, from  officiating  in  his  place.  On  two  other 
Sabbaths,  In  the  height  of  the  warm  aeason,  he  made  a 
preaching  excursion  mto  the  interior  of  the  state,  for  the 
benefit  of  a  change  of  air,  calculated  to  invigorate  both 
the  body  and  the  mind.  Here  then  is  there  cause  to  efect 
an  Ebenezer  of  praise  to  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church, 
who  has  been  pleased  so  graciously  to  prosper  an  institu- 
tion established  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  Mariners, 
and  who  has,  in  mercy,  crowned  the  means  used  with 
such  abundant  and  visible  success. 

The  language  of  one  and  another  of  the  Mariners  is, 
**  Come,  and  I  will  tell  you  what  the  Lord  has  done  for 
my  soul,''  believing  that,  **  except  a  man  be  bom  again, 


^mim 


dd         MEMOUlS  or  TIIE  RET.  JOSEPH  EASTBUKR 

he  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  Gap."  The  roaster 
of  a  vessel  stated,  that  this  passage  of  holy  writ  struck 
him  like  a  flash  of  lightning,  and  produced  a  shock  frpm 
which  he  never  rested,  till  he  obtained  a  hope  that  he 
knew  what  that  change  was  .which  the  passage  describes: 
and  he  exhorted  all  within  the  hearing  of  his  voice,  to 
seek  the  pearl  of  great  price*  He  died  in  the  .full  assu- 
rance of  seeing  the  kingdom  of  God. 

Females  (for  it  is  common  for  the  families  of  the  Man- 
tiers  to  be  punctual  in  their  attendance)  arc  not  less 
awake  than  those  of  the  other  sex,  to  the  care  of  the  soul 
as  the  one  thing  needful :  and  in  the  opinion  of  their 
spiritual  guide,  there  is  reason  to  hope  that  many  of  them 
are  truly  pious.  One  of  their  number  remarlced  to  the 
Preacher,  that  her  name  was  Lydia^  and  tliat  it  was  upon 
an  occasion  of  speaking  on  the  text,  contained  in  the  16th 
chapter  of  the  Acts,  and  the  14th  verse,  that  the  Lord 
was  pleased  4q  open  her  heart,  so  that  she  attended  unto 
the  things  which  were  spoken. 

The  work,  of  refbrnaatioii'  is  evident  in  many  other 
respects. — The  present  highly  respectable^  and  indefati- 
gable Chief  Magistrate  of  the  city,  hag  receixtlyistated,  that 
the  Police  Office  is  no  longer  a  seat  of  Justice,  as  it  for- 
merly was,  for  pronouncing  judgmenton  Mariners,  brought 
there  in  a  state  of  inebriation.  A  like  testimony  is  borne 
by  a  distinguished  officer  placed  over  the  Customs  of  the 
district — it  being  a  rare  occurrence  for  a  Mariner  now  to 
appear  on  the  floor  of  the  Custom-liouse  under  the  in- 
fluence of  intoxicating  liquors.  But  above  aH,  the  trading 
part  of  the  community,  connected  with  vessels,  are  irtfi 
to  testify  to  the  sobriety  and  orderly  conduct  of  Mariners 
at  the  commencement  of  a  voyage,  (exhibiting  a  most 
striking  contrast  to  former  days)  and  also  of  the  reports 
made  to  them  by  their  Captains,  of  the  subordination  and 
unexceptionable  conduct  of  sailors  whilst  they  are  at  sea. 

Well  may  it  be,  said,  'MVhat  things  hath  God  wrought 
among  the  Mariners  !"  "  They  that  go  down  to  the  sea 
in  ships,  and  do  business"  in  great  waters,  these  see  the 
works  of  the  Lord,  and  his  wonders  in  the  deep  ;  these 
cry  unto  the  Lord  in  their  trouble,  and  he  bringeth  them 
out  of  their  distresses."    "  He  maketh  the  storm  a  calm, 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURI^.  99 

80  that  the  waves  aire  still :  then  thej  are  glad,'  and  crj, 
Oh !  that  men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness, 
and  for  his  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men  V^ 
Is  there  not  much  encouragement  to  hope  from  such 
facts,  that  the  set  time  to  favour  Mariners  is  come,  and 
that  the  abundance  of  the  sea  shall  be  converted  unto 
God  ?  Many  days  do  not  now  pass  without  JVfariners 
being  seen  who  are  awake  to  a  general  and  particular 
Providence,  while  they  behold  the  works  of  &e  Lord, 
and  his  wonders  in  the  deep. 

To  the  devoted  and  patriarchal  Preacher  on  whom 
devolves  the  interesting  chaise  of  ministering  statedly  to 
the  Seamen,  nothing  could  afford  more  joy  and  rejoicing 
to  his  heart,  than  he  experiences  in  seeing  the  bread  he 
has  cast  upon  the  waters,  thus  returning  after  many  days, 
according  to  the  Divine  promise — and  in  contemplating 
still  brighter  prospects  in  future.  The  sum  and  substance 
of  his  preaching  is,  repent,  or  perish — betiev<si  iat^^l£i 
Lord  Jesus  Chnst,  and  be  'saved.  Gospel  simplicity  is 
well  suited  to  his  audience ;  and  his  practice,'  very  fre- 

Suently,  is,  to  lecture  en  the  substance  of  a  chapter, 
wellina;  most  on  the  parts  particularly  adapted  to  ex- 
isting ctrciimstances.  This  mode,  it  is  believed^  the  Mar- 
iners are  best  pleased  with;  and  it  has  the  effect  of  pro- 
ducing a  habit  of  thi'^king  on  what  they  hear  and  read. 

Passing  occurrences  are  al&o  very  happily  improved 
by  the  Preacher,  as  will  appear  in  the  use  made  of  the 
following  incident.  The  ship^  company  of  the  Bemamin 
Rush,  presented  to  the  Mariner^s  Church,  a  miniature 
ship  prepared  for  the  purpose,  in  a  late  voyage  to  Canton, 
ri^ed  in  the  most  perfect  style,  and  now  moored  over 
the  pulpit  in  the  Mariner's  Church.  The  day  after  it 
was  placed  there,  being  the  Sabbath,  the  speaker  ob- 
served that  the  hull  of  the  ship  composed  of  many  pieces, 
bound  round  with  plank,  was  like  our  bodies  composed 
of  many  parts,  covered  with  flesh  and  skin.  If  the  ship 
leaked,  he  observed,  it  caused  hard  labour  at  the  pumps : 
so  sin  indulged  would  cause  great  sorrow  both  here  and 
hereafter.  If  a  plank  gave  way.,  the  ship  would  sink ; 
and  if  the  thread  of  life  should  break,  the  soul  would  de- 
part immediately  into  the  eternal  world.  The  masts  and 


mm 


Ji 


^ 


too        MEMOIRS  OF  THBKET.  JOSEPH  EASTBUIOr. 

rigging  being  intended  for  the  purpose  of  spreading  sailS) 
that  me  ship  might  be  speedily  conveyed  from  port  to 
port,  riiight  show  the  need  of  using  the  means  of  gr^ce, 
which  the  Lord  has  appointed,  and  in  the  proper  use  of 
which  we  may  hope  to  obtain  the  influence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  as  a  heavenly  wind  to  take  us  to  the  haven  of 
eternal  rest. 

The  captain  of  the  ship  in  which  this  model  was  made 
had  given  it  the  name  of  **  Beulah,^^  taken  from  Isaiah 
Ixii.  4,  *'  No  more  forsaken,"  and  this  text  was  inscribed 
on  the  Burgee  at  the  fore  royaL  mast  head.  It  was  ob- 
served from  this  that  sailors  had  formerly  said  no  one 
cared  for  their  souls,  but  now  it  was  remarked  th6y  were 
earnestly  invited  to  come  to  the  blessed  Saviour,  and  all 
who  should  comply  with  the  invitation  might  call  their 
Maker  their  Father.  On  the  main  royal  mastHbead  was 
the  flag  with  Bethel  wiStten  on  it.  That,  said  the  preacher, 
^^lAoiijd  always  remind  us  of  Jacob^'s  vision  at  Bethel, 
where  he  saw  the  ladder  set  up  from  Earth  to  Heaven, 
and  the  Lord  at  the  head  of  it.  Seamen  when  mounting 
the  shroud  should  think  of  being  prepared  to  bie  wrapped 
in  a  shroud.  The  American  flag  at  the^  stj^ra  shows  the 
importance  of  navigation,  without  which  Columbus  would 
never  have  discovered  this  happy  land.  This  ship  has 
anchors  at  her  bows,  but  if  they  were  cast  out  where 
there  were  no  soundings,  it  would  do  them  no  good  ;  so 
if  they  should  be  trusting  in  the  general  mercy  of  God, 
without  having  their  hope  fixed  on  the  foundation  he  has 
laid  in  Jesus  Christ,  they  must  certainly  perish ;  but  if 
fixed  on  him  within  the  vail,  they  would  at  last  be  safely 
brought  up  into  eternal  rest  and  happiness.  The  compass 
being  absolutely  necessary  for  the  helmsman  to  know 
how  to  steer  the  ship,  should  remind  us  that  the  Scrip- 
tures alone  can  direct  us  to  the  port  of  eternal  glory." 
After  the  address  some  account  was  given  of  the  expe- 
rience of  Seamen ;  and  the  whole  service  wa»  attended 
to  with  deep  solemnity.  The  church  was  crowded,  and 
a  liberal  deposit  was  made  in  the  boxes.       *       *        » 

The  Sunday  School  is  composed  of  a  President  and 
nineteen  Teachers,  and  two  hundred  and  twenty-five 
scholars.    The  Teachers  are  of  the  Methodist^  Episcopal 


M&MOIRS  OF  Tn£  AEV.  lOSfiPff  EAStBTTRN.        101 

and  Presbyterian  -persuasions ;  seven  of  them  profess  re* 
ligion  publiclj^the  others  are  seriously  inclined.  The 
pupils  are  the  children  of  Mariners,  or  of  those  who 
worship  in  the  Church.  The  number  generally  attending 
at  one  time  does  not  exceed  one  hundred  and  fi%,  and 
with  which  the  gallery  is  filled. 

Although  the  desirable  ciFcumstahce  cannot  be  stated 
of  any  of  those  pupils  having  made  a  public  profession  of 
religion,  yet  the  death-bed  of  some,  who  have  been  called 
into  the  eternal  world,  has  given  evidence  that  they  have 
made  a  happy  exchange. 

The  children  sing^a'h3rmn  on  every  occasion  of  meet- 
ing and  receive  an  address  from  the  Preacher  before 
public  worship.  They  appear  to  be  benefited,  and  many 
of  them  evidently  are  seriously  impressed.  Some  of  the 
old  scholars  who  now  frequent  the  sea,  whenever  they 
return  home  manifest  their  attachment  to  the  school  iii 
which  th&y  have  been  taught;  and  often  display  a  NeW 
Testament  bearing  evident  marks  tiliat  it  has  been  in 
much  use.    ' 

The  fiscal  concerns  of  the  'School  are  in  a  measure 
easy.  It  is  supported  by  the  contributions  of  its  mem- 
bers,- and  sixty  annual  subscribers  at  one  dollar  each. 

Whilst  the  Mariner's  Church  has  so  much  reason  to 
sing  of  mercy,  an  event  has  nevertheless  taken  place  in 
the  past  year,  of  a  very  afflictive  and  mournful  kind.' 
We  refer  to  the  lamented  death  of  one  of  its  earliest  and 
most  efficient  friends ;  the  late  estimable  and  excellent 
Christian  mariner.  Commodore  Dale.  His  is  a  name 
distinguished  in  the  naval  history  of  America,  and  it  is 
here  recorded  with  all  the  sweet  recollections,  attending 
the  memory  of  the  just :  He  was  an  Israelite  indeed,  in 
whom  there  was  no  guile.  By  the  Preacher  as  well  as 
by  all  concerned  in  the  establishment,  he  was  a  friend 
most  highly  valued ;  a  supporter,  a  counsellor,  a  pillar  of 
the  Institution.  His  Christian  meekness  and  gospel  sim- 
plicity ;  his  uniformity  of  character  and  devotedness  to 
every  good  word  and  work ;  his  evangelical  principles ; 
his  holy  zeal,  to  build  up  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  on 
earth ;  and  especially  the  importance  of  his  services  to 
the  cause  of  the  Mariner,  procured  for  him   an  ele* 


iWkM 


\  » 


109        MEMOQUB  OF  TBE  REV.  JOSEPH  EAWtBVBSk 

vated  station  in  the  community  in  which  -he  lived,  and 
inspires  the  firm  belief  that  the  public  loss  is  his.Qwn 
eternal  gain.  >• 

The  Church  of  Christ  is  one,  and  all  the  friends  of 
Zion  will  feel  a  strong  desire  to  promote  her  interests 
in  ever  J  part  of  the  world ;  those  however  who  are  more 
immediately  concerned  in  efforts  ibr  the  religious  im- 
provement of  Seamen,  will  feel  a  peculiar  obligation  and 
desire  to  attend  to  this  particular  duty:  such  has  bees 
the  motive  which  has  actuatei^  the  a^ed  and  zealour 
Preacher  of  this  Church  to  undertake  visits  to  New- York 
and  Baltimore  In  the  former  city  great  things  have  been 
done  for  the  promotion  of  the  JMariners'  cause  in  general, 
particularly  in  the  recent  establishment  of  an  *^  American 
Seamen^s  Friend  Society ,^^  the  object  of  which,  in  ad- 
dition to  the  public  administration  of  the  gospel,  is  speci- 
fied in  the  following  particulars.  . 
^.:^o  establish  ^*  reputable  and  orderly  boarding  houses 
in  title  several  seaport  towns  of  our  country,  where  special 
attention  will  be  paid  as  well  to  the  morals  as  to  the  pro- 
tection of  the  property  and  civil  rights  of  the  Seamen, 
each  of  which  houses,  when  practicable,  is  to  be  furnish- 
ed with  a  reading  room  and  a  small  library  of  suitable 
books.** 

**Re»ster  or  Intelligence  Offices,  where  Seamen  of 
good  character  may  have  their  names  entered  and 
lodgings  designated,  for  application  by  ship  owners  and 
masters.** 

**  A  Saving  Bank  for  the  deposit  on  interest  of  such 
portion  of  the  Seamen*s  earnings  as  they  may  deem  ex- 
pedient.'* 

^*  The  employment  of  Agents  or  Missionaries  to  traverse 
the  coast,  visit  vessels  and  distribute  Bibles  and  Tracts, 
and  to  co-operate  with  the  local  committees  appointed 
for  that  purpose,  to  induce  Seamen  to  resort  to  the4)oard- 
ing  houses  under  the  patronage  of  the  society,  and  to  at- 
tend places  of  worship.** 

"  The  establishment  of  schools  for  the  instruction  as 
weH  of  adults  as  the  children  of  Seamen.** 

**  To  afibrd  such  aid  as  the  means  of  the  institution  will 


■4-' 


JX!.? 


instruction  as 
institution  will 


MEMOIRS  OP  TRS  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBUBICi         jO$ 

allow  to  Marine  preaching  establishments  and  all  kindred 
Institutions/^ 

The  most  entire  approbation  is  given  hj  us  to  the  oh* 
jects  expressed  in  the  foregoing  articles,  and  the  hope  is 
entertained  that  in  process  of  time  the  benevolent  views 
of  the  **  American  Seamen^s  Friend  Society,"  will  be 
carried  into  effect  "  in  the  several  seaport  towns  of  our 
country." 

In  Baltimore  it  appears  there  is  in  ereat  forwardness^ 
and  very  near  to  completion,  a  new  building  designed  for 
a  Mariner's  Church — the  consecration  of  which  is  in  con-  • 
templation  very  shortly ;  to  attend  which  the  venerable 
Preacher  here  is  invited  and  expects  to  officiate;* 

At  Boston,  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  Norfolk  and 
New-Orleans,  similar  establishments  have  been  made; 
much  activity  is  known  to  prevail  in  the  two  first,  and 
it  is  hoped,  that  there  is  no  want  of  a  holy  zeal  in  the 
others.  For  the  New-Orleans  establishments  jEfasv9fieD4 
gentleman  has  been  deputed  by  a  society  formed  at  that 
place,  to  travel  and  solieit  funds  in  aid  of  erecting  a 
Mariner'a  Church.  That  port  being  the  resort  of  nume- 
rous vessels  from  different  parts  of  the  world,  afibrds  a 
large  field  for  benevolent  exertions,  and  has  a  peculiar 
claim  on  other  places  for  aid,  from  the  circumstance  that 
very  few  of  the  Seamen  are  other  tlian  strangers. 

the  communications  from  London,  embracing  a  cop- 
respondence  with  the  Rev.  G.  C.  Smith,  the  distinguished 
Preacher  of  the  Mariner's  Church  in  that  ci^,  and 
Thomas  Philips,  Esq.  Secretary  of  the  British  and  Foreign 
Seamen's  Friend  Society  and  bethel  Union,  have  affoi^- 
ed  the  most  ample  and  satisfactory  information  of  the 
blessed  work  prevailing  among  Seamen  in  England,  and 
also  of  the  deep  concern  which  appears  to  be  implanted 
in  the  hearts  of  British  Christians  to  promote  this  glo- 
rious cause,  not  only  in  their  own  land,  but  throughout 
the  world*  * 

K.  i(.  *  «  «  «  # 

In  concluding  this  statement,  it  is  felt  to  be  incumbent, 


'«'i 


*  It  appears  from  Mr.  Eastburn's  journal,  that  he  did  attend  and 
officiate  on  the  occasion  here  referred  to. 

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104        MEMOIRS  OF  THE-  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURIT. 

that  we  should  he  deeply  sensible  of  the  eoodness  of  God« 
in  condescending  so  remarkably  to  smile  on  the  effort 
which  has  here  been  made,  to  extend  the  blessings  of  the 
gospel  to  our  sea-faring  brethren  ;  that  we  should  humbly 
and  fervently  implore  his  gracious  benediction  on  all  the 
endeavours  we  shall  use,  for  the  same  purpose,  in  time  to 
come ;  and  that  while  we  earnestly  solicit  our  fellow 
Christians  to  unite  their  supplications  with  ours  in  this 
hehalf,  we  should  express  our  gratitude  to  those  who 
have  already  favoured  our  undertaking  with  their  patron- 
age and  their  prayers," 

The  foregoing  report  is  the  last  which  has  been  pub- 
lished, in  relation  to  the  Mariner's  church  in  Philadel- 
phia. Mr.  Eastburn  was  present  when  it  was  read,  and 
par^oipated  largely  in  the  pleasure  which  all  the  friends 
of  the  establishment  experienced,  in.  contemplating  its 
proiperky  and  its  prospects.  Previously,  however,  as 
appears  from  his  journal,  his  health  had,  for  some  time, 
been  less  i6rm  than  usual;  and  his  unabated  exertions, 
when  he  Was  verging  on  the  age  of  fourscore,  had  doubt- 
less some  efiect  in  increasing  bis  infirmities,  and  hasten- 
hig  the  period  when  he  was  to  exchange  them  all  for  im- 
mortal bliss,  activity  and  vigour.  His  decline  was  gradual, 
and  he  continued  to  preach  occasionally,  even  afler  his 
worthy  successor,  the  Rev.  Alfred  H.  Dashiel,  stood 
ready  to  supply  his  place,  whenever  his  feebleness  might 
demand  aid  or  relief.  ,It  appears  from  the  journal,  that 
Mr.  Dashiel  performed  the  last  service  for  which  Mr.  E. 
made  preparation,  but  which  he  found  himself  unable  to 
attempt. 

On  the  26th  of  June,  1827,  the  writer  of  these  memoirs 
paid  a  visit  to  his  aged  friend,  drawing  near  in  appear- 
ance to  the  eternal  world ;  but  not  in  much  pain  at  the 
time,  and  in  perfect  possession  of  all  his  powers  of  intellect 
and  speech.  The  conversation,  which  lasted  for  perhaps 
an  hour,  turned  on  scenes  past,  present,  and  to  come ; 
and  terminated  in  a  distinct  agreement  to  pray  daily  for 
each  other,  till  one  or  the  other  should  become  silent  in 
death.  For  the  two  immediately  succeeding  months  the 
writer  was,  the  most  of  the  time,  absent,  from  the  city, 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


105 


and  at  a  considerable  distance  from  it.  On  one  occasion^ 
a  rumour  where  he  was,  announced  the  death  of  Mr. 
Eastbum,  with  such  circumstances  of  probabiHty  as  to 
leave  no  doubt  in  the  mind  of  the  writer,  that  be  was  no 
longer  in  a  situation  to  be  the  proper  subject  of  prayer ; 
and  in  place  of  petitions  for  him,  thanksgivings  for  his 
edifying  example,  and  supplications  to  be  prepared  to  join 
him  in  a  better  world,  seemed  to  be  the  incumbent  duty 
of  the  survivor.  On  returning  to  the  city  however,  hb 
was  agreeably  surprised  to  find  that  his  old  friend  was 
still  in  life ;  and  that,  on  hearing  of  the  rumour  which 
had  consigned  him  to  the  grave,  he  had  said — **  as  yet, 
there  is  no  such  good  news."  He  even  revived  so  much 
after  this,  that  in  the  month  of  September  he  was  once  car- 
ried to  his  beloved  Mariner^s  Church,  where  he  made  ft 
short  address  to  the  Sabbath  school  children,  and  one  still 
shorter  to  the  mariners  themselves.  This  was  his  fare- 
well interview  with  them,  and  was  so  regarded  by  atl:  tiie 
parties  concerned^ — It  is  almost  needless  to  say,  thai  tears 
in  abundance  were  -shed  on  the  occasion. 

The  organic  disease  of  Mr.  E.-  which  terminated  in 
death,  wj^s  of  the  stomach  and  bowels,  unaccompanied 
by  fever  till  near  its  fatal  issue.  He  had  but  little  «ase, 
except  when  it  was  procured  by  the  use  of  anodynes ; 
and  at  times  his  pain  was  extreme.  Mortification  was 
much  apprehended,  but  it  never  took  place.  His'appe- 
tite,  in  the  progress  of  his  complaint,  entirely  failed,  and 
the  powers  of  nature  sunk  by  degrees,  till  the  lamp  of 
life  went  out  by  a  gradual  extinction. 

To  all  who  are  acquainted  with  the  influence  which 
the  bodily  organization  has  on  the  mind,  it  will  be  obvi- 
ous to  remark,  that  the  circumstances  in  which  Mr.  E. 
approached  his  dissolution,  were  exactly  those  which  are 
least  favourable  to  clear  perceptions,  and  vigorous  mental 
exercises.  The  mind  which  is  not  clouded,  or  debili- 
tated, by  the  relaxation  of  all  the  springs  of  life,  and  the 
constant  use  of  opiates,  must  be  sustained  and  invigorated 
in  no  ordinary  manner ;  and  that  examples  of  this  descrip- 
tion have  sometimes  been  seen,  the  writer  is  not  disposed 
to  deny.  The  subject  of  this  memoir,  however,  did  not 
furnish  such  an  example.  The  usual  influence  of  diseasej 


^ 


t  . 


toe         MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 

and  the  usual  effects  of  remedies,  were,  io  his  case,  fully 
apparent  His  mind,  indeed,  suffered  no  alienation,  till 
very  hear  the  close  of  his  mortal  career,  and  then  it  was 
only  fitful  and  partial.  But  in  perspicuity,  sensibility, 
yigor,  and  animation,  he  was  manifestly  different  from 
what  he  had  been  immediately  before  his  confinement. 
It  was  therefore  not  wonderful,  that  on  spiritual  subject?, 
as  on  all  others,  he  was  less  excitable  than  he  was  woivt 
to  be  in  health.  He  expressed  no  rapturous  views  of 
divine  things.  He  used  none  of  that  language  of  ecstatic 
delight  in  God,  and  animated  triumph  over  death  and  the 
grave,  which  is  sometimes  witnessed  in  holy  men,  as  they 
draw  near  to  the  eternal  world ;  and  wliich  he  would 
have  been  the  last  man  on  earth  to  censure  or  undervalue. 
But  what  he  exhibited — and  it  was  most  edifying  and  de- 
lightful to  see  it — was  the  blessed  effects  of  long  habits 
of  piety — a'n  humble,  stedfast  assurance  of  an  interest 
in  tbe  unchanging  covenant  of  grace.  If  his  hope  of 
heaven  was  ever  shaded,  it  was  but  a  passing  cloud,  a 
momentary  eclipse.  For  more  than  seven  months,  during 
which  he  labored  under  the  disease  that  terminated  in 
death,  the  habitual  state  of  his  mind  was  that  of  unre- 
served submission  to  the  will  of  God,  thankfulness  for  his 
mercies,  a  placid,  tranquil,  unwavering  trust  in  the  divine 
promises,  and.  an  unshaken  expectation  of  a  speedy  and 
eternal  vision  and  fruition  of  his  covenant  God  and  Sa- 
viour. The  writer  finds,  on  consulting  his  diary,  that  on 
the  1 2th  of  January,  a  little  more  than  a  fortnight  before 
Mr.  Eastburn^s  death,  the  following  memorandum  is  en- 
tered— "  I  found at  my  house,  on  returning  from 

paying  what  I  expect  will  be  my  last  visit  to  father 
Eastbum.  I  conversed  with  him,  and  he  told  me  that  he 
had  not  a  douht,  or  a  fear,  in  regard  to  his  future  happi- 
ness.  He  thanked  me  for -what  I  had  done  for  him,  in 
bringing  him  into  public  usefulness.  I  prayed  with  him, 
and  was  a  good  deal  affected :" — Such  is  a  short-hand 
memorandum,  made  when  no  thought  was  entertained 
of  penning  these  memoirs,  or  that  the  record  would  \fM 
intelligible  to  any  human  eye  but  the  writer's  own — It  W 
DOW  published,  as  exhibiting  the  general  state  of  the  mind 


li  I 


MEMOIRS^  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


lot 


of  this  man  of  God,  in  the  near  view  of  eternity.  He 
languished  till  the  morning  of  the  30th  of  January,  1838, 
when,  without  a  stru^le,  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  and 
went  to  be  for  ever  wim  the  Lord. 


te  of  the  mind 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Miscellaneous  particulars  and  remarks — Conclusion, 

Of  the  excellent  man  who  is  the  subject  of  these 
memoirs,  it  may  be  gratifying  to  the  reader  to  know 
somewhat  more  than  is  contained  in  the  foregoing  narra- 
tive. It  may  also  be  proper  for  the  writer  to  make  some 
additional  remarks. 

The  person  of  Mr.  Eastburn  was  in  no  respect  peculiar. 
His  stature  was  a  little  below  the  middle  size,  and  hia 
frame  was  such  as  to  favor  the  activity  for  which  he 
was  always  remarkable.  A  better  likeness  of  his  face, 
in  the  last  ten  years  of  his  life,  could  scarcely  be  given  in 
an  engraving,  than  is  exhibited  in  that  which  accompanies 
these  memoirs. — His  aspect  in  younger  life  was  con- 
siderably different.  In  public  speaking  his  countenance 
and  eyes  often  expressed  much  animation,  and  he  used  a 
good  deal  of  unstudied,  yet  not  ungraceful  gesticulation 
— when  much  engaged,  as  was  often  the  case,  his  whole 
body  seemed  to  be  agitated  by  the  fervors  of  his  mind. 
Still  there  was  nothing  of  that  boisterous,  loud  and  en- 
thusiastic rant,  in  which  extemporaneous  speakers  in  the 
pulpit  too  often  indulge.  His  voice  was  strong  and  his 
spe<;ch  articulate ;  and  there  was  seldom  any  hesitation, 
or  appearance  of  difficulty  to  get  forward,  in  his  public 
addresses.  They  were  generally  fluent,  and  always 
characterized  by  great  solemnity. 

He  was  singularly  neat  in  his  dress,  and  in  all  his 
habits ;  and  he  could  scarcely  refrain  from  showing  his 
disapprobation,  when  he  saW  the  want  of  an  attention  to 
decency  of  appearance  in  others.  His  mechanical  busi- 
ness had  not  rendered  him  uncouth  or  awkward  in  his 

K2 


108        MEMOmS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBUAN. 

behaviour.  His  address  and  manners,  although  destitute 
of  polish,  were  agreeable  and  even  prepossessing.  The 
genuine  influence  of  Christian  meekness  and  courtesy 
seemed  to  throw  a  charm  around  him,  wherever  he  went, 
or  whatever  he  did  or  said. 

His  natural  temper  seems  to  have  been  hast^ ;  but  it 
was  so  softened,  subdued,  and  regulated  by  divme  grace 
and  habitual  watchfulness,  that  it  rarely  discovered  itself. 
On  the  contrary  he  was  a  bright  example  of  forbearance, 
caution,  prudence,  and  the  endurance  of  injury  and  even 
of  insult,  without  anger  or  resentment.  One  instance  is 
recollected  of  his  usii^  an  expression  which  he  after- 
wards thought  harsh  and  unwarranted,  and  he  could  not 
be  at  peace  with  himself,  till  he  had  expressed  to  the 
offended  party  his  sorrow  for  the  oflence.  He  never  in- 
dulged in  levity,  but  was  remarkably  social  and  cheerful ; 
and  kindniess,  sympathy,  and  a  desire  to  relieve  distress, 
whether-  of  a  temporal  or  a  spiritual  kind,  were  prominent 
features  of  his  character. 

I'he  best  men  are  not  without  their  imperfections,  and 
that  which  the  writer  thought  the  most  visible  in  Mr.  E., 
was  precisely  that  wrhich  Kippis  has  noticed  in  the 
character  of  Dr.  Doddridge,  *^  that  he  was  fonder  of  ap- 
plause, from  every  quarter,  than  was  desirable  in  one 
who  was  so  justly  entitled  to  it."  Yet  it  is  but  justice 
to  add  that  this  foible  diminished  as  his  usefulness  in- 
creased ;  till,  toward  the  close  of  life,  when  both  useful- 
ness and  applause  were  most  abundant,  his  love  of  praise 
seemed  to  be  nearly  extinct.  He  grew  in  humility,  and  in  a 
disregard  of  all  but  the  approbation  and  glory  of  God,  as 
he  drew  nearer  to  the  end  of  his  course  and  the  rest  and 
reward  of  heaven. 

It  was  observed,  in  the  commencement  of  these  me- 
moirs, that  Mr.  £.  had  "  no  pretensions  to  genius,  no  emi- 
nence of  intellectual  powers  or  attainments."  Such  cer- 
tainly was  the  fact,  taking  the  terms  used  in  the  assertion 
in  their  customary  acceptation ;  and  yet,  if  there  be  such 
a  thing  as  a  genius  for  religion,  he  possessed  it — i% 
is  beyond  a  question  that  piety  elevated  his  intellectual 
powers,  in  regard  to  every  thing  in  which  piety  was  con- 
cerned.   Without  piety,  he  would  probably  never  have 


M£M0m8  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  BASTBURN. 


109 


been  remarkable  for  any  tiling  but  his  mechanical  in* 
dustry,  and  good  common  sense.  He  does  not  appear  to 
have  been  tormed  for  literar)'  improvement,  if  ne  was 
even  capable  of  it  He  has  mentioned,  in  his  account  of 
the  former  part  of  his  life,  that  bis  assiduous  application 
to  study,  while  at  the  grammar  school  of  Dr.  Robert 
Smith  of  Pequea,  produced  a  pain  in  his  breast,  which 
compelled  him  tp  return  to  his  mechanical  employment 
This  was  undoubtedly  true ;  but  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  John 
Smith,  who  was  then  a  student  or  a  teacher  in  his  father^s 
grammar  school,  told  the  writer  that  Mr.  E.  was  not  able  to 
master  the  Latin  grammar,  and  it  is  certain  that  he  never 
did  master  it  Probably  the  eiTorts  he  made,  by  night 
and  by  day,  to  effect  what  to  him  was  peculiarly  difficult, 
produced  the  complaint  of  his  breast  which  drove  him 
irom  the  school.  He  wrote  a  plain  legible  hand,  but  was 
far  from  correct  in  the  grammar  of  his  own  language. 
His  reading  was  much  more  scanty  than  tiiat  of  hundreds 
of  mechanics,  in  situations  less  favorable  than  his  own 
to  the  possession  and  perusal  of  books,  ^mong  his  papers, 
the  bookseller^s  receipt  fop  Scott^s  Commentary  was 
found,  dated  January  19tli,  1809.  This,  there  is  little 
doubt,  was  the  first  commentary,  and  the  only  one,  that 
he  ever  owned.  The  writer  remembers  lending  him 
a  volume  of  Henry's  Commentary,  several  years  before 
this,  but  he  did  not  retain  it  long.  He  was 'much  accus- 
tomed  to  compare  scripture  with  scripture,  and  thus  to 
be  his  own  commentator.  His  memory,  although  not 
tenacious  of  the  Latin  or  any  other  grammar,  seemed  to 
be  formed  to  receive  and  retain  the  words  of  Holy  Scrip- 
ture, and  to  be  a  receptacle  for  devotional  psalms  and 
hymns  almost  without  number.  He  knew  a  large  part 
of  the  Bible  by  heart,  and  could  repeat  the  devotional 
poetry  of  Watts,  and  of  some  other  writers,  to  a  wonder^ 
iul  extent,  and  with  great  accuracy.  This  too  was  the 
man  who,  in  his  public  prayers  and  discourses,  used  his 
mother  tongue  with  a  readiness  and  propriety  seldom 
exceeded  by  those  who  speak  what  they  have  not  pre- 
composed,  or  studiously  prepared.  The  truth  was,  that 
he  threw  his  whole  soul  into  what  he  delivered  in  public ; 
and  this  so  carried  his  hearers  along  with  him,  as  left 


4 


I' 


"  'i^ 


no       MEMOIRS  OF  "iHE  REV.  JOSEPH  EA8TBURN. 

them  little  leisure  or  inclination  to  notice  any  slight  in- 
accuracies of  exprcision  in  what  they  heard ;  and  nence 
his  public  addressefi  were  acceptable,  and  often  delight- 
ful, even  to  nice  and  fastidious  ears.  On  the  subjects  of 
religion  he  Iikewi»e  seemed  to  possess  no  inconsiderable 
share  of  imagination,  as  well  as  a  capacity  for  promptlr 
adapting  scriptural  truth,  both  historical  and  doctrinal, 
to  particular  subjects  and  occasions,  which  few  educated 

J  preachers  ever  excel,  and  many  never  equal.  At  concerts 
or  prayer,  and  all  incidental  religious  services  at  which 
special  addresses  were  to  be  delivered,  father  Eastbum 
was  looked  to,  as  one  whose  presence  and  assistance  were 
peculiarly  desirable.  Shortly  after  the  writing  of  these 
memoirs  was  announced,  the  following  unsolicited  note 
was  received  from  the  respectable  citizen  whose  name  it 
bears : —       , 

^^•Dear  Sir, 

A  circumstance  respecting  the  Rev.  Mr.  Eastbum, 
which  fell  within  my  knowledge,  may  perhaps  deserve  a 
passing  notice,  in  your  intended  Memoir. 

Two  of  my  apprentices  were  drowned  in  one  of  the 
ponds  in  the  suburbs  of  this  city,  some  years  ago.  Mr. 
Eastbum  happened  to  be  in  the  grave-yard,  and  seeing 
that  no  person  was  prepared  to  address  the  assembled 
crowd,  he  undertook  that  office,  and  delivered  an  extem- 
poraneous address,  perfectly  suited  to  the  occasion — one 
of  the  most  affecting  I  ever  heard  in  my  life. 

Yours  very  respectfully, 
.  February  9th.  .  Mathew  Carey. 

The  following  extracts  from  a  letter  which  had  been 
solicited  from  the  Rev.  William  S.  Plumer  of  North 
Carolina,  will  illustrate  several  traits  in  the  character  of 
Mr.  E.,  as  well  as  give  the  reader  a  good  idea  of  his 
preaching  powers. 

'-  fVarrenton,  X  C.  Juli/  7/A,  1828. 

Rev.  and  Dear  Father : — 
When  in  the  city,  I  promised  you  some  little  sketches 
of  the  life  of  Mr.  Eastbum.  *         *         #         * 

In  October,  1825, 1  visited  Philadelphia,  and  called  on 


■ill  -^r 


nd  called  on 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTDURN.  1  ]  1 

Father  Eastburn.  When  I  fiibi  called,  he  ^as  not  at 
home.  1  was  told  that  he  wan  visiting  the  h*ck,  in  a  part 
of  the  city  rather  destitute  of  pastoral  labor  ;  but  that 
he  would  be  at  home  in  half  an  hour.  I  accordingly 
waited  until  his  return.  At  the  appointed  time,  he  came. 
AAer  Christian  salutation,  he  said  m  had  been  visiting — 
had  seen  many  very  distressed  people,  and  especiallv 
one.  "  She  is  a  young  lady,"  said  he,  '*  whose  mother  is 
dead,  and  whose  father  and  only  brother  are  infidels,  and 
very  bold  in  wickedness.  The  young  lady  is  under  soul- 
concern  (a  very  common  expression  with  Mr.  E.)  1  got 
to  her  room,  when  her  father  and  brother  were  froni 
home,  and  I  talked  to  her  much  about  the  plan  of  salva- 
tion. Poor  thing,  she  was  very  ignorant,  and  she  is  very 
much  distressed.     While  I  was  talking,  I  heard  some 

Eerson  coming  in — I  was  told  it  was  her  father,  and  that 
e  would  be  very  angry.  Presently  the  door  was  opened 
noisily,  and  a  man  forty  or  fifty  years  old  entered  the 
room,  in  a  very  blustering  and  angiy  manner.  He  first 
accosted  me  by  saying,  *  And  who  are  you?^  (he  knew 
who  I  was :)  I  told  him  my  name  was  Eastburn.  *  And 
what  are  you  doing  here  ?  We  want  none  of  your  religion 
here.  We  have  sorrow  enough  already.'  *  My  friend,* 
said  I,  *  I  heard  that  your  daughter  was  sick,  and  that 
her  mind  was  troubled  about  her  sins,  and  I  knew  that 
Christ  Jesus  came  to  save  the  chid"  of  sinners ;  and  I 
thought  I  would  come  and  tell  her.'  Here  a  conversation 
ensued — the  father  became  less  irritated,  and  at  last,  be- 
fore I  came  away,  he  was  willing  that  1  should  pray  with 
and  for  his  daughter.  Now,"  continued  the  old  gentle- 
man, "  we  can  bring  almost  any  body  over,  if  we  will  be 
mild,  and  calm,  and  aliectionate." 

Before  I  left  him,  I  said,  **  Father  Eastburn,  you  have 
been  long  in  the  service  of  Christ ;  what  advice  would 
you  give,  in  few  words,  to  one  who,  like  myself,  was 
about  to  enter  the  ministry."  His  answer  was :  "  When 
I  was  a  young  man,  I  asked  Dr.  John  Mason,  the  father 
of  Dr.  John  M.  Mason,  nearly  the  same  question;  I  asked 
him  what  advice  he  would  give  to  a  young  Christian.  I 
will  give  you  his  answer — it  was  thi&:  *  When  you  are 
about  to  engage  in  prayer,  remember  what  the  object  of 


ie;k 


m 


112        MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBVRN. 

prayer  is.  When  some  people  pray,  they  seem  to  be 
paying  their  compliments  to  God,  as  to  some  great  man. 
God  wants  no  compliments.  Learn  to  converse  with 
the  Lord,  to  talk  with  him.  The  secret  of  the  Lord  is 
with  them  that  fear  himj*  If  I  may  add  any  thing  to  this, 
continued  Mr.  E.,^  I  would  say,  when  you  read  the  scrip- 
tures, do  not  read  too  fast.  If,  in  reading,  the  mind  strikes 
a  rich  vein  of  thought,  do  not  call  it  back :  let  it  go  on 
for  a  while.  This  is  the  way  to  have  profitable  thoughts, 
and  to  be  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  God,  My  best 
and  happiest  frames  are  brought  on  in  this  way."  This 
advice  shows  clearly  that  Mr,  E.  was  a  growing  Chris- 
tian ;  ^at  he  "  increased  in  the  knowledge  of  God,  and  in 
spiritual  understanding." 

It  is  possible  that  some  may  have  supposed  Mr.  E.^s 
talents  far  below  what  they  really  were.  He  was  not 
learned ;  he  was  not  methodical ;  nor  had  he  any  of  that 
»opkomorical  eloquence,  which  produces  pleasant  sound. 
"Words  ought  surely  to  be  labored,"  says  Dr.  Johnson, 
"  when  they  are  intended  to  stand  for  things ;"  and  only 
then  is  there  need  of  laboring  them.  Although  there 
was  nothing  of  this  kind,  yet  there  was  a  deep  interest 
kept  up  in  his  public  services.  No  man  could  look  at 
him,  and  be  disposed  to  criticise.  Eveir  man  felt  that 
Mr.  E.  was  an  honest  man ;  and  therefore  the  hearer 
very  much  resigned  himself  to  the  speaker.  - 

I  heard  him,  in  February,  1826,  lecturing  on  the  first 
fourteen  verses  of  Genesis,  22d  chapter.  The  first  part 
of  the  sermon  was  descriptive  of  the  age,  appearance, 
family,  feelings,  and  conduct,  of  Abraham.  He  often  per- 
sonated Abraham,  in  the  course  of  his  remarks.  Having 
followed  this  course  some  distance,  he,  at  length,  repre- 
sented Abraham  as  having  arrived  on  the  mount  with  his 
son — "  Here  came  the  conflict,"  said  Mr.  E.  He  then 
briefly  summed  up  the  feelings  of  Abraham,  while  "he 
built  an  altar,  and  laid  the  wood  in  order  there."  The 
interest  he  now  threw  into  the  description  was  worthy 
of  the  subject ;  and  would  have  done  credit  to  any  man. 
When  he  described  Abraham  "  binding  his  son,  laying 
him  on  the  altar  upon  the  wood,  and  stretching  forth  his 
hand  and  taking  the  knife  to  slay  his  son,"  it  seemed  al- 


.    MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBVBN.        113 

most  as  if  the  scene  described  was  one  we  could  all  see. 
The  audience  was  still,  and  hung  upon  his  lips.  "  At  this 
critical  moment^^^  said  the  old  gentleman,  **  a  voice  was 
heard,  saying,  Abraham,  Abraham.^^  These  last  words  he 
pronounced  very  rapidly,  and  as  we  might  suppose  one 
would  do  who  saw  another  in  great  danger.  The  effect 
was  as  great  as  any  I  have  ever  seen  produced  by  descrip* 
tion.  1  am  persuaded  that  one-half  of  the  congregation 
involuntarily  moved  forward,  rather  raising  themselves 
from  their  seats,  as  if  to  seize  the  father^s  band,  and  save 
the  life  of  Isaac.  All  this  was  done  in  perfect  simplicity. 
A  little  child  never  spoke  with  more  artlessness,  or  re- 
moteness from  affectation. 

Institution  of  worship  among  mariners, — Mr.  E.  gave 
the  following  account  of  the  hrst^  meeting  for  marinera  in 

Philadelphia.     "  In  the  year we  determined  to  have 

a  meeting  for  the  dear  mariners,  and  procured  for  tha| 
purpose  a  sail-loft.  On  the  sabbath,  we  hung  out  a  flag. 
As  they  came  by,  they  bailed  us,.  'Ship  ahoy !'  We  an* 
swered  them.  They  asked  us  *  where  we  were  bound?' 
We  told  them,  to  the  port  of  New  Jerusalem ;  that  we 
sailed  under  admiral  Jesus,  a  good  commander ;  that  we 
wanted  men ;  that  we  had  several  ships ;  that  there  was 
the  ship  Methodist,  the  ship  Baptist,,  the  ship  Episcopalian, 
the  ship  Presbyterian,  &;c. ;  that  they  might  have  choice 
of  ships  and  of  under  officers,  but  that  they  would  do 
well  to  go  in  the  fleet.  '  Well,'  said  they, '  we  will  come  in, 
and  hear  your  terms ;'  and  here,"  said  Mr.  E.,  •*  was  the 
beginning  of  our  Mariner's  Church — And  now,  when  r.ny 
of  them  express  a  desire  to  join  a  church,  I  ask  them 
what  church  they  would  wish  to  join,  and  I  go  with  them, 
and  introduce  them  to  the  pastor  of  the  church,  and  tell 
him  what  I  know  about  them." 

Thus  I  have  imperfectly  fulfilled^my  promise.  I  have 
given  you  the  most  striking  sketches,  that  I  remember. 
I  have  given  you  only  the  substance.  I  think  that  what 
I  have  stated  is  strictly  true,  certainly  not  beyond  the 

truth. — You  can  make  what  use  you  please  of  it. 

.#  #  #  #  #  « 


, -,  mfc 


;•-;:.»- 


I 


n 


i\   .-.■  t 


I 


I? 


114        MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURK. 

In  these  memoirs  Mr.  Eastburn  is  frequently  mentioned 
as  the  pastor  of  the  Mariner^s  Church,  and  is  also  styled 
Reverend,  To  prevent  misapprehension,  and  indeed  to 
correct  that  which  has,  to  a  certain  extent,  already  taken 
place,  it  may  be  proper  to  remark  that  according  to  the 
technical  use  of  the  terms  Pastor  and  Reverend,  Mr.  E. 
was  entitled  to  neither;  although,  in  their  general  import, 
it  is  believed  that  he  had  a  good  claim  to  both.  Neither 
Pastor  nor  Reverend  is  technically  or  customarily  ap- 
plied to  any  man  who  is  not  an  ordained  minister  of  the 
gospel^  which  Mr.  E.  never  was ;  and  the  former  term  is 
used  to  designate  one  who  is  not  only  ordained,  but  who 
has  the  stated  charge  of  a  particular  church  and  con- 
gregation, in  which  he  both  preaches  and  administers  the 
sacraments ;  and  in  Mr.  E.'s  licensure  it  was  expressly  stip- 
ulated that "  he  should  not  consider  himself  as  a  candidate 
for  the  pastoral  office."*  The  Mariner's  Church,  more- 
over, was  established  by  a  joint  effort  of  several  religious 
denominations,  and  it  could  not,  without  some  new  ar- 
rangement, be  placed  under  what  is  usually  denominated 
the  pastoral  care  of  a  minister  belonging  to  any  one  of 
these  denominations. 

But  the  word  pastor  or  shepherd,  in  its  general  appli- 
cation to  the  duties  of  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  refers 
chiefly  to  his  obligation  to  feed  a  flock  of  Christ,  of  which 
he  has  the  oversight,  with  spiritual  food ;  to  watch  over 
them,  and  in  every  way  to  promote  their  spiritual  wel- 
fare :  and  never  did  a  ministee  of  the  gospel  labor  more 
assiduously  than  did  Mr.  Eastburn,  to  give  to  the  people 
of  his  charge — his  "  dear  Mariners" — a  full  and  the  most 
suitable  supply  of  the  bread  and  the  waters  of  life  ;  to 
watch  for  their  souls ;  to  visit  them  in  sickness ;  to  warn 
them  of  danger ;  and  to  "  guide  their  feet  into  the  way  of 


*  In  this  stipulation,  which  was  agreed  to  without  any  reluctance 
on  the  part  of  Mr.  Eastburn,  regard  was  had  by  the  presbytery,  not 
only  to  the  defects  of  his  education,  but  also,  and  chiefly,  to  the  state 
of  bis  mind  in  regard  to  the  sacrament  of  baptism.  It  is  believed  by 
the  writer  that  his  sentiments  on  this  subject  were  somewhat  different 
before  his  death,  from  what  they  were  at  the  time  of  his  licensure. 
But  at  that  time,  he  could  not,  if  he  had  been  a  pastor,  have  bap- 
tized infants  at  all,  nor  adults  m  any  form  but  by  immersion.  He 
could  not,  of  course,  be  a  pastor  in  a  Presbyterian  church. 


I 


y  mentioned 
s  also  styled 
kd  indeed  to 
tready  taken 
rding  to  the 
rend,  Mr.  E. 
leral  import, 
th.    Neither 
tomarily  ap- 
nister  of  the 
rmer  term  is 
led,  but  who 
ch  and  con- 
ministers  the 
xpressly  stip- 
s  a  candidate 
tiurch,  more- 
eral  religious 
ome  new  ar- 
denominated 
[>  any  one  of 

general  appli- 
gospel,  refers 
rist,  of  which 
0  watch  over 
spiritual  wel- 
;1  labor  more 
to  the  people 
and  the  most 
rs  of  life  ;  to 
less ;  to  warn 
to  the  way  of 


:  any  reluctance 
:  presbytery,  not 
iefly,  to  the  state 
It  is  believed  by 
newhat  different 
of  his  licensure, 
astor,  have  bap- 
immersion.  He 
hurch. 


peace."-^To  them^  tborefoire,  he  tr^is  toily.and  emphat- 
ically a  po^for.  .^ 

Jotibson'^s  definitioQ  ^tthe  vrori  Averind^in  its  gen- 
eral import,  19  **  Teneraibk  {  deserving  rdvie^nee,  eararc*}- 
in^  r<e8]^e<;t  bf  his  tL^^rmce^^  An^  ^^'w^ki^tyhk  iji 
this itifore applicable, tnan  to^e  tml^ veheMttiimi Vf^'0r 
is  the  sul^cit  of  these  memditB?  Reword,  says  the 
great  texi^bgraf^^er,  is  J*  air  boadntty  epit^  -of  ^  A* 
cleigy.'*— Arid  the  epittiet  waa.  courteously  given  to  Mn 
Eastbum,  by  sucfh  a  Vo|u[^iyi^edera!,ah<|  cordfi^ 
fragc  of  the  feligibds  |>Qblic,  as  butr  few  cc^ld  obtti^naiid; 

If  aiiy  should  be  disposed  to  noalre  tbi  "^e^se  of  Mr.  E. 
a  plea  for  the  introdactibn^ofmeii  into' the j^Spel  iiiiotstry 
withoat  more,  educ^tibfi  than  \^e  pos^esseC^hey  poghA  to 
be  informed  that  they  eouidjnotiiaye  obtain^  hw$anctiotf^ 
or  countenaiticef  to  suclx^a  pleli.  tfe  never.  t}ioi]^it;]^iii* 
self  qtialified  for  the  pastor^it office iM  tbej^rase  is^uioidf 
understood;  and  it  ts  bei^ed  bie  i^o<ira's6rKav^V 
sented  to  accept  it,  if  It  ha4  beeao^eriat  «ii#^««^i^ 
ujran  him. '  -lie  iilintfETlamented'tbatiie  "^  ci6t  ^e^ 
fuiliishcHd  i^An  lie^a8,'for  the  ri|nitelt|(itic^of  ^etbbihtier 
and'pteacfibr.    He  ha4lhe  go^  se^ti^  i&>  I:ii6w,  tfent  he 

had  not  the  **tt;easure**  of  theot<^cal  fnadwled^V 
of  which  he  could  **  bring  forth  things  pe#  aid' olq^  m  i^ 
stated  charge.  Let  those  therefore  wKo  aroire  to  he  ^hat 
he  was,  have  some  good  evidence  that  thenr  ^liafificationk 
are  equal,  or  similaf,  to  those  \vhi6h  he  possfes^bd.  The 
writer  has  always  considered  tiie  case'1[>f'j^^sthurri  at 
nearly  wm^'we— as  standing  by  itself.  He'  h^s  never  re- 
gretted, arid  thinks  he  shall  never  regret^  th^  instramen- 
tality  he  had,  ia  giving  to  this  extraordinary  ixian  the  qual- 
ified Hcensure  which  was  granted  him.  He  "would  vote 
to  give  it  to  another  of  lilkequalificatioiis,  if  another  could 
be  found.  But  another  such  he  never  expects  to  see. 
A  man  like  Mr.  Eastburn  does  not  often  appear— a  man 
who  had  suth  a  force  of  piety,  as  far  more  feari.  counter- 
balanced the  wants  and  defects  which  must  for  ever,  and 
completely,  disqualify  ordinary  Christians  ibr  the  Bf  here 
in  which  he  moved.  .  "  ^ 


"-^j* 


u 


lU        M8M0IBH  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EiOSTBUSIf. 


'%■ 


!( 


.CONCLUSION. 


.,.  It  wa3  stated  in  the  introduction  to  these  memoirs,  that 
a  principal  design  in  writing  them  was,  io  show  what 
**  simple,  genuine,  consistent,  fervent,  active,  eminent 
piety  may  efie^t,^^  even  when  unaided  hy  rank,  genius, 
education  or  wealth.  And  we  have  now  seen  that  such 
a  piety,  and  sp  unaided,  did,  in  the  case  of  Mr.Eastburn, 
secure  to  him  a  personal  influence  and  esteem  among 
various  denominations  of  Christians,  and  among  people 
of  all  de^riptions  of  character,  that  was  truly  wonderutK 
This  is  manifest  from  numerous  facts  recited  in  .these 
memoirs,  as  well  as  from  the  demonstration  of  public 
respect  which  was  exhibited  at  his  funeral-^a  demonstra- 
tion which  many  have  thought  and  said,  the  death  of  no 
other  citizen  of  Jrhiladelphia  could  have  produced.  But-<r- 
what  was  of;infinitely  niore  mfportance  than  any  *^  honor 
^(H^cfa  comdth  from  man,^*  and  was  'so  regarded  by  Mr, 
£aatb^re  iiknseU^tbe  influence  and. esteem  which  he 
had  ac<|uiredr^sihledlum|  todo  good  to  the  souls  of  men,  to 
a  most  uj)cpmmop  ^tent  It  is  scarcely  <:nedible  in  wl^  a 
number  of  housdiolds  in  the  city  of  his  residence  his  name 
is  precious,  and  will  long  be  so,  for  some  profligate  of  a 
family  reckUn^td  and  coi^verted'  by  his  kmd  and  faith- 
ful admonitions;  for  some  laboring  mind  directed  by  his 
instructions  and  counsels  to  the  Saviour;  for  some  sick 
or  dying  member  edified  by  his  conversation  and  prayers ; 
and  for  the  nomirners  whom  his  presence,  and  sympathy, 
and  exhortation,  soothed,  sustained,  and  comforted.  But 
besides  all  this,  it  is  probable  that  his  preaching  and  ex- 
hortations during  the  fpur-and-twenty  years  of  his  public 
ministrations,  were  quite  as  instrumental  as  those  of  any 
other  man  in  our  country,  during  the  same  space,  in  turn- 
ing sinners  "  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power 
of  Satan  unto  God."  They  were,  let  it  be  remembered, 
the  gifts  of  divine  grace,  in  their  large  bestowment  to  this 
eminent  Christian,  which  God  was  pleaded  thus  to  honor; 
and  let  the  praise  and  glory  of  his  own  gifts  be  given  to 
God  alone. 

But  surely  such  a  character  as  that  of  Mr.  E.  furnishes 
a  very  strong  presumption,  if  not  a  conclusive  proof,  of 


m- 


BN. 


gmoirs,  that 
show  what 
e,  eminent 
mk,  genius, 
jn  that  such 
r.  Eaitburo, 
eem  amon^ 
long  people 
r  wofldertuK 
;ed  in  .these 
n  of  public 
idempnstra,- 
deatb  of  no 
jced.  But-^ 
any  **  honor 
rded  by  Mr. 
xi  which  he 
Lil8pfn(ien,to 
iilein  w^a 
Dce  his  oame 
pofligate  of  a 
d  and  faith- 
rected  by  his 
or  some  sick 
and  prayers ; 
id  sympathy, 
nforted.    But 
:bing  and  ex- 
of  his  public 
those  of  any 
pace,  in  tuf  n- 
m  the  power 
remembered, 
vment  to  this 
bus  to  honor; 
;s  be  given  to 

'.  E.  furnishes 
live  proof,  of 


MEMOIRS  Or^tHE  REV.  JOSEI^H  EASTBVRK.  117   ' 

the  truth  of  the  whole  gospd  sys'teno.  From  the  ioflu« 
ence  of  that  system  his  mind  unquestionably  received,  in 
relation  to  certain  gubjects^  a  strength  and  elevation* 
which  it  could  not  have  derived  from  any  dtheir  source. 
Nor  were  his  mental  powers  merely  raised  and  invigo- 
rated ;  they  were,  by  the  same  influence,  rendered  .most 
amiable  and  benevolent ;  they  were  unceasingly  devoted 
to  the  promotion  of  human  happiness,  in  every  way  their 
possessor  could  devise ;  And  they  were  actually  success- 
ful in  advancing  all  the  best  interests  of  mankind,  to  a 
very  unusual  extent  Now,  can  a  system  productive  of 
such  effects  be  nothing  more,  or  better,  than  a  system  of 
base  falsehood  and  deception  ?  Musi  not  such  a  system, 
on  the  contrary,  be  divine?  Must  it  not  have  come  from 
Him  "whose  tender  mercies  are  oy^r  all  his  works?** 
Yes,  indubitably — And  such  eiamples  as  that  which  we 
here  contemplate,  do  in  fact  confound  infidelity,  silenqs 
its  advocates,  or  prevent  their  influence,  more  thaa'flffi  \ 
the  argumentative  reasopiiigs,  powerful  «r6.  usefdl  as  they 
are,  by  which  the  truth  of  revelation  is  defended  and 
established.  , 

The  humblest  Christian  may  £|l8o  see,  from  the  example 
before  us,  not  only  how  much  he  may  promote  his  own 
happiness,  but  how  useful  he  itiay  be  to  others,  by  dili- 
gently cultivating;  and  keeping  in  lively  and  vigorous  ex* 
ercise  the  Christian  graces,  and  by  "  adorning  the  doc- 
trine of  God  his  Saviour^  in  all  things."  Although  he 
may  never,  like  Mr.  Eastburn,  become  a  public  exhorter, 
still  he  may,  "  by  well  xioing,  put  to  silence  the  ignorance' 
of  foolish  men."  He  may,  by  a  heavenly  temper  and  a 
holy  life,  more  effectually  recommend  religion  t<5  all  who 
observe  his  conduct,  than  can  often  be  done  by  the  most 
eloquent  and  cogent  discourses.  If  Mr.  Eastburn  had 
not  lived  religion.,  his  public  addresses  would  have  had 
little  effect ;  and  it  was  in  fact  by  living  religion  that  he 
did  more  good  than  by  his  formal  addresses.  An  exem-' 
plary  Christian  life  speaks  a  language  which  all  under- 
stand, and  which  few  are  so  hardened  in  wickedness  as 
not  in  some  measure  to  feel-^They  often  feel  it,  even 
when  they  ridicule  and  profess  to  despise  it :  and  some- 
times they  sQ  feel  it,  that  at  last  it  produces  repentance, 


^ 


:vi 


a 


3  » 


'  t, 

•  ;  -M 


Si 


■t- 


1^18         MEMOIRS  OF  THE  EEV.  JOSEPH  EA8TBURN. 

reformation,  and  the  salvation  of  the  soul.  There  have 
of  late  been  a  number  of  instances,  in  which  pious  sailors 
and  soldiers,  by  their  eood  example  and  Christian  de- 
portment^ have  drawn. the  attention  of  their  companions 
(savingly  it  may  be  hoped)  to  attend  to  the  thinp  which 
belong  to  their  peace ;  anid  have  produced  a  favorable 
impression  even  on  the^r  commanoing  officers. 

in  the  subject  of  these  memoirs  we  see  eminently  veri- 
fied the  important  remark,  that  the  most  valuable  of  all 
distinctions,  the  distinction  which  is  made  by  the  grace 
of  God,  and  which  renders  the; subject  of  that  grace  a 
child  of  God  and  an  heir  of  eternal  glory,  is  not  made 
according  to  those  qualities  and  circumstances  by  which 
men  usually  class  and  measure  their  esteem  ror  each 
other ;  but  may  be  the  allotment  of  any  of  the  human 
race,  whatever  be  their  standing  in  society,  or  the  estima- 
tion made  )of  them  by  their  fellow  jnortals.  .  Observa- 
^on,  indeed,  abundantly  shows,  that  this  ereat  and  lasting 
distinction,  which  alone  is  worUiiy  of  much  concern,  is  not 
most  frequently  possessed  by  men  of  high  intellectual  pow^ 
ers,  or  brilliant  endowments  of  any  kind ;  not  commonly 
by  the  wise,  the  wealthy,  the  learned,  the  eloquent,  or  the 
powerful ;  but  by  men  of  no  eminence  for  genius,  station, 
or  property.  In  every  succeeding  age,  it  has  been  much  as 
it  was  when  the  Saviour  said,  ^*  I  uiank  thee,  O  Father, 
Lord  of  heaven  and  earth,  because  thou  hast  hid  these 
things  from  the  wise  and  prudent,  and  hast  revealed  them 
unto  babes.  Even  so.  Father,  for  so  it  seemed  good  in 
th^  sight" — ^And  when  afterwards  an  inspired  apostle 
said,  "  Ye  see  your  calling,  brethren,  how  that  not  many 
wise  men  after  the  flesh,  not  many  mighty,  not  many 
noble  are'  called :  But  God  hath  chosen  the  foolish  things 
of  the  world  to  confound  the  wise ;  and  God  hath  chosen 
the  weak  things  of  tiie  world  to  confound  the  things 
which  are  mighty;  and  base  things  of  the  worl^^  and 
things  whfch  are  despised,  hath  God  chosen;  y^a,  and 
things  which  are  not  to  bring  to  nought  things  which  are ; 
that  no  flesh  should  glory  in  his  presenc^.-^* 

Men  make  many  classes  and  distinctions,  but  God 
makes  account  of  one  only— that  which  exists  between 
his  friends  and  his  foes.    This  will  portly  divide  the 


# 


MGMOms  OP  THE  RfiV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN.        liO 

%vhole  human  familj  into  two  great  companies.  And 
oh !  when  the  assembled  race  of  men  shall  stand  before 
the  judgment  seat  of  Christ,  how  will  the  distinctions  of 
this  world  be  reversed !  How  much  more  glorious  will 
Joseph  Eastbum  then  appear,  than  the  unsanctified  kin^ 
and  conquerors,  patriots  and  sages,  orators  and  poets, 
wits  and  scholars,  men  of  influence  and  men  of  wealth, 
who  have  been  feared,  or  admired,  or  envied,  and  who 
may  have  filled  the  world  with  their  fame  I  How  would 
they  rejoice  to  exchange  their  place  of  infamr  and  agony 
unutterable,  for  that  of  the  humble  mechanic,  wearine 
his  ^^  crown  of  righteousness,*^  acquitted  and  honorea 
by  his  Judge,  triumphing  in  his  Saviour,  surrounded  by 
a  happy  throng  whom  his  pious  labors  have  led  to  glory, 
and  saying,  with  adoring  gratitude,  ^vBeh(^d  I  ana  the 
children  that  God  hath  given  me/*  In  the  exercise  of 
that  faith,  "  which  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped  fbr^ 
and  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen,"  how  oughtr&e 
meanest  disciple  of  Jesus^ not  enfy  to  be  content  with  hia 
present  allotment,  but  to  give  thanks  to  God,  whose 
grace  has  disposed  und  enabled  hkn  to  choose  ^^  the  good 
part  which  shall  not  be  taken  away  from  him.** 

Mr.  Eastbuf  n*s  example  as  a  man  of  prayer,  was  highly 
instructive  and  worthy  of  particular  notice.  His  private 
devotions,  indeed,  remained  private.-^He  has  stated  what 
they  \yere,  in  his  first  religious  exercises,  in  the  narrative 
inserted  in  these  memoirs;  but  the  writer  does  not  re- 
member to  have  heard  him  ^jpeak  of  them  in  a  single 
instance.  Yet  an  observing  person  could  not  be  in  his 
company  even  for  a  day,  without  percwving  that  he  was 
one  who  communed  much  with  his  God  •,  mat  his  "  con- 
versation was  in  heaven.'*  No  doubt  can  exist  that  he 
was  eminently  a  man  of  prayer.  No  one  who  did  not 
pray  much  in  secret,  could  pray  as  he  did  in  public.  In 
his  pubhc  prayers,  especially  in  the  first  part  of  them,  he 
oftevi  seemed  as  if  he  was  weighed  down  with  a  sense  of 
the  divine  presence,  of  the  holiness  and  majesty  of  a 
present  God,  of  his  own  nnworthiness,  and  his  need  of 
the  intervention  of  a  Mediator.  Deep  reverence  and  hu- 
mility marked  every  part  of  the  exercise. — It  was  char- 
acterized throughout  by  solemnity  and  fervor.  He  rarelyi 

L2 


% 


"^ 


'b.- 


i  '''1' 


110        MfiMOUtB  or  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  BASTBURN. 

if  ever,  beeitated ;  his  langua^  was  in  a  suitable  degree 
acriptaral,  and  in  general  pertinent  and  happy.  His  sup- 
plications  frequency  and  strongly  indicated  that  he  was 
~  praying  in  faith,  and  tliat  he  looked  for  an  answer.  A 
petition  which  he  often  uttered  was,  **  May  we,  O  Lord, 
follow  our  prayers  with  expectation.^^ 

In  considerins  the  unusual  success  which  attended  the 
labon  of  this  holy  man,  who  can  doubt  that  it  was 
greatly,  nay  chiefly,  to  be  attributed  to  his  prayers  ?  He 
was  an  Israelite,  who  "  had  power  with  God  and  pre* 
vailed.^^  What  he  did  he  was  prepared  to  do,  by  the 
influence  of  prayer  on  hi«  own  mind ;  and  when  it  was 
done,  the  answer  of  prayer  rendered  it  successful. — A 
prayer-hearing  God  crowned  what  he  did  with  the  de- 
sired blessing.  Others  might,  arid  often  did,  perform  the 
same  services  which  he  performed,  but  seldom  with  the 
^me  happy  result.  How  forcibly  ought  this  to  impress 
Ob. the  minds  of  all  who  minister  in  holy  things,  the  infi- 
nite importance  of  their  being  men  of  prayer.  Unless 
they  truly  possess  this  character,  it  is  tio  wonder  if  they 
labor  in  vam :  and  is  it  rash  or  uncharitable  to  believe, 
that  a  deficiency  in  this  particular  is  a  principal  cause 
that  there  is  so  much  labor  in  vain,  in  the  ministry  of  re< 
conciliation  ? 

In  some  respects,  it  is  believed  that  many  preachers 
of  the  gospel  might  learn  a  profitable  lesson  from  the  un- 
disciplined exhorter,  whose  memoirs  we  are  closing.  He 
was  entirely  willing  to  give  himself  for  exactly  what  he 
was.  He  never  labored,  or  appeared  to  be  anxious,  to 
do  something  that  was  out  of  his  reach.  He  made  no 
attempts  to  shine,  or  to  say  what  should  be  thought  novel, 
or  unusually  excellent.     He  had  no  affectation  of  elo- 

auence,  and  this  made  him  at  times  truly  eloquent.  Al- 
lou^  he  never  precoinposed  any  thing,  he  took  a  good 
deal  of  care  to  say  nothing  that  was  not  true,  nothing  ex- 
travagant, nothing  that  might  mislead,  nothing  that  might 
unnecessarily  give  offence ;  but  while  he  was  speaking, 
he  appeared  as  if  he  thought  of  nothing  else  but  of  doing 
good  to  souls ;  he  was  carried  along  by  his  subject,  and 
was  apparently  entirely  unconcerned  as  to  what  his 
hearers  mig^t  think  or  say  of  himself.    Hence  he  was 


*' 


p-    ''^- 


llEMOms  OF  THE  RRV.  JOSEPH  BASTBVRN. 


Itl 


always  ready  to  sneak  on  any  occasion,  however  unex- 
pected, in  which  auty  appeared  to  call  him  to  address 
an  audience.  He  was  willing  to  say  what  he  could,  and 
to  let  it  stand  for  just  what  it  was  worth.  It  is  believed 
that  if  preachers  generally  ^cted  more  like  Mr.  Eastburo, 
in  most  of  the  particulars  now  stated,  they  would  be 
more  comfortable  themselves,  and^  be  at  once  more  ac- 
ceptable and  more  useful  to  their  hearers. 

but  in  concluding  these  memoirs,  which,  from  a  regard 
to  the  subject  of  them,  will  probably  be  found  in  the 
hands  of  many  seamen,  the  writer  cannot  satisfy  himself^ 
without  making 

•'A  SHORT  ADDRESS  TO  MARINERS:— 

Especially  to  those  who  heard  Mr.  Eastbum  preach, 
who  asked  and  received  his  pj^ayers,  and  who  were 
warned  and  counselled  byiiis  lips v  now  for  «ver  clos^ii 
in  death : — 

Friends  and  BRF4THRB.if, .    /  * 

Did  you  not  love  father  Eastbum  ?  You  will  doubtless 
answer  that  you  did;  for  almost  every  body  loved  him, 
and  nobody  more  than  mariners.  Well  then,  have  you 
shown  your  love  to  him,  in  that  way  which  would  hiave 
pleased  him  most — and  in  the  only  way,  indeed,  that  he 
cared  much  about?  You  certainly  have  not  done  this, 
if  you  have  not  complied  with  his  many  and  affectionate 
entreaties  that  you  would  seek  the  salvation  of  your 
souls,  as  *Vthe  one  thing  needful.^^  He  asked  nothing  of 
you  but  this.  He  would  receive  nothing  but  this,  for  all 
his  exhortations,  and  entreaties,  and  visits,  and  kindnesses 
shown  to  you,  and  to  many  of  your  families ;  and  for  all 
the  prayers  that  he  made  for  you  in  public,  and  many 
that  he  poured  out  in  private,  with  many  tears,  that  God 
would  have  mercy  on  you,  and  save  you  from  eternal 
misery.  Oh  I  he  did  most  earnestly  desire  to  see  you 
solemnly  engaged  about  your  eternal  well-being ;  to  see 
you  inquiring  what  you  should  do  to  be  saved,  and  with 
all  your  might  pressing  into  the  kingdom  of  God  !  And 
now,  will  any  of  you  refuse  to  give  this  proof  of  your 
love  and  gratitude,  to  a  man  who  loved  you  so  much,  and 
did  so  much  for  you  ?  and  above  all,  will  you  refuse  this 


I'^l 


( ,'■-■■> 


il 


IH  *. 


122        MEMOIRS  OP  THfi  REV.  JOSEPff  EASTBURN. 

to  the  blessed  Saviour,  who  loved  you  more.,  and  did 
more  for  you,  than  any  mortal  man  could  do— who  came 
down  from  heaven  to  earth,  and  died  the  cursed  death  of 
the  cross,  that  the  curse  of  God  might  not  rest  on  your 
souls  forever? 

Do  you  not  know  that  although  you  will  never  see 
'  father  Eastbum  again  in  this  world,  yet  you  will  see  him 
again  in  the  world  to  come  ?  Do  you  not  know  that  you 
will  all  meet  him  before  the  bar  of  God  ?  Yes,  you  will 
assuredly  meet  him  there;  and  there  you  will  be  called 
to  a  strict  account  for  the  manner  in  which  yon  have 
treated  every  address  that  he  ever  made  to  you,  and 
every  prayer  that  you  ever  heard  him  make  in  the  Mar- 
iner^s  Church,  and  every  prayer  you  requested  him  to 
make  for  you  there,  and  which  he  did  make  for  you^ 
when  you  were  going  on  a  voyage  to  sea,  and  when  you 
•Were  for  a^ay  on  the  ocean.  Truly,  my  friends,  it  will 
be  an  awful  account  that  you  will  have  to  give  up,  and 
an  awful  condemnation  that  wHl  follow,  if  it  shall  then 
be  found  that-  you  have  not  passed  that  great  spiritual 
change,  that  being  "bom  again,"  which  father  East- 
bum  used  so  often  to  speak  to  you  abou^.  A4as !  if  it 
shall  then  appear  that  you  were  never  tmly  converted 
unto  God,  that  you  never  truly  repented  of  your  shis 
and  turned  from  them  with  all  your  heart,  that  you 
never  truly  trusted  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christy  and 
relied  on  his  atoning  sacrifice,  finished  righteousness, 
and  prevalent  intercession,  as  the  sole  ground  of  hope 
for  acceptance  with  God ;  or  that  you  never  proved 
the  truth  of  a  supposed  conversion  by^  fleeing  from  all 
known  sin,  and  by  honestly  endeavoring  to  obey  all  tlie 
commands  of  God — if  this  shall  appear,  it  will  be  man- 
ifest that  you  died  in  your  sins ;  and  he  who  once  so 
earnestly  and  affectionately  counselled,  and  warned, 
and  entreated  you  to  turn  without  delay  unto  the  Lord — 
even  he  will  then  become  a  swift  witness  against  you  ;  and 
you  will  be  condemned  to  be  eternally  separated  from 
your  dear  old  friend,  and  from  all  good  beings,  and  will 
be  sent  away  to  dwell  for  a  long  eternity  with  the  devil 
and  his  angels,  in  the  fire  that  never  shall  be  quenched. 
Be  not  offended,  dear  friends,  at  this  plain  language.    It 


'ti, 
•i 
'I 


-t^ 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 


128 


is  spoken  in  love  and  kindness  to  yoarsoals,  and  that  the 
writer  may  deliver  his  own  soul.  What  hat  heen  said 
is  the  truth  of  God,  and  such  you  will  assuredly  know  it 
to  be,  either  in  this  world  or  in  eternity.  Do  not  allow 
yourselves  to  be  deceived  in  this  great  concern.  Do  not 
flatter  yourselves  with  vain  hopes,  th^t  it  will  go  well 
with  you  at  last,  even  if  you  indulge  in  sin ;  and  beware 
that  you  do  not  rely  on  repenting  and  turning  ta  the 
Lord  at  somie  future  time.  No  time,  believe  it,  will  be 
so  favorable  for  this  as  the  present.  Even  if  you  should 
die  by  a  Jingering  disease,  a  sick  and  dying  bed  is  a  most 
unfavorable  place  and  time  to  make  your  peace  with 
God.  You  may  not  have  the  use  of  your  reason  then ; 
and  if  you  have,  the  distress  of  the  body  will  be  enough 
to  bear,  without  having  the  great  work  of  your  souls'  sal- 
vation both  to  begin  and  finish.  Beside,  if  you  reckon 
on  this,  you  may  so  grieve  and  offend  the  blessed  Spir^ 
of  God,  that  he  may  leave  you  to  yourselvest-^nd  Itieb 
you  will  be  sure  to  perish;  ibirwidiQut  Us  gracious  «&<• 
sistance  you  neverwiH  repent  You  ought  to  recollect^ 
moreover,  that  yours  is  a  Ufe  of  peril.  You  may  be 
swallowed  up  in  the  ocean,  without  having  a  moment^s 
time  to  prepare  for  eternity,  if  you  have  not  done  it  be- 
forehand. O  do  not  delay  or  trifle !  Break  away,  at 
once,  from  all  your  wicked  associates.  If  they  sneer  and 
laugh  at  you,  regard  it  not.  Let  them  not  banter  you  out 
of  your  souls ;  they  are  too  precious  to  be  thrown  away 
as  a  sacrifice  to  the  sport  of  fools.  Remember  that 
your  Saviour  bore  much  reproach  and  shame  for  you; 
Renounce  all  those  lewd,  filthy,  intemperate  and  pro- 
fane practices,  Mrhich  destroy  so  many  seamen,  soul  and 
body,  for  time  and  eternity.  Set  them  all  aside  at  once. 
Cry  to  God  for  help;  attend  mariners'  meetings,  where- 
ever  you  can  find  them ;  and  resolve,  in  the  strength  of 
the  Almighty,  that  you  will  give  no  peace  to  yourselves, 
till  your  peace  is  made  with  God  through  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  "  Behold  now  is  the  accepted  time ;  behold  now 
is  the  day  of  salvation.  Ih-day  if  you  will  hear  his  voice, 
harden  not  your  hearts."  .  .  4 

But  it  is  known  that  there  are  some^ — and  for  ever 
blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord  that  there  are  some,  and 


#■ 


p-  'f" 

Ti«l     « 


i,«*  >t4 


-*. 


1S4         MEMOIRS  OF  TH£  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 

would  to  God  the  number  were  much  greater — who  have 
received  benefit,  saving  benefit,  it  is  hoped,  from  the  ser- 
vices performed  in  the  Mariner^  Church  of  Philadelphia. 
You,  dear  friends,  have  an  important  part  to  act,  and 
much,  very  much,  will  depend  on  your  acting  it  welL 
If  you  adorn  religion,  if  you  constantlv  show  a  good  ex- 
ample, and  use  your  influence  prudently,  and  kindly,  and 

.perseveringty,  to  promote  piety  and  good  morals  among 
your  brother  mariners,  the  effect,  under  the  divine  bless- 
ing, will  be  happy  beyond  all  calculation.  It  may  be 
the  means  of  saving  multitudes  of  sailors  from  present 
misery  and  wretchedness,  and  from  eternal  destruction 
beyond  the  grave.  Much  is  now  doing  for  the  benefit  of 
seamen,  by  good  people  in  many  parts  of  the  world ;  and 
surely  it  may  be  hoped  that  seamen  themselves  will  do 
all  in  their  power  to  promote  the  good  cause — to  help 

.4hemselves,'and  sen-e  their  brethren. 

But,  on  the  other  hand,  if  any  of  those  who  profess  to 
have  felt  the  influence  of  religion  turn  back,  if  they  apos- 
tatize, or  if,  without  complete  and  final  apostasy,  they 
for  only  once  indulge  in  any  of  the  gross  vices  of  seamen, 
the  consequences  will  be  incalculably  mischievous.  O 
what  a  triumph  will  it  give  to  the  wicked  and  licentious, 
and  what  a  hindrance  will  it  be  to  tliose  who  are  engaged 
in  promoting  a  brtter  state  of  things  among  sea-farii^ 
men,  whose  comfort,  and  happiness,  and  spiritual  interests, 
have  been  so  long  and  shamefully  neglected !  And  will 
any  sea-faring  man  do  any  thing  to  stop  and  throw  back 
this  good  work  ?  Indeed  he  ought  to  dread  it  worse  than 
death.  But  be  aware  that  those  who  hate  religion,  and 
the  work  of  reformation  that  is  going  on,  will  do  what 
they  can  to  tempt  you  to  practices  which  will,  if  in- 
dulged in,  bring  reproach  and  distress  on  yourselves,  and 
be  a  stumbling-block  to  those  who  may  be  thinking  of 
reformation.  Therefore,  dear  friends,  keep  a  good  look 
out ;  and  take  heed  to  all  your  ways.  Do  not  rely  merely 
on  your  own  prudence  and  strength;  but  often  put  up 
earnestly  that  petition  of  our  Lord's  prayer — "  Lead  us 
not  into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from  evil."  They  only 
are  well  kept  whom  God  keeps.    Daily  ask  grace  and 


-'»■».' 


>- 


"I  I 


BfBMOms  OP  THB  REV.  JOACPB  KASTBTlllV.        125- 

gofdance  from  on  hi^h.  ^*  In  all  your  wap  acknowledge 
God,  and  be  will  direct  your  paths/^  Much,  both  of 
^'our  comfort  and  your  safety,  will  depend  on  your  keep- 
ing up,  as  far  as  possible,  a  lively  sense  of  divine  thingi 
in  your  own  soul^  This  is  the  great  secret  of  beinc 
happy,  of  ayoidmg  ^v  il,  and  of  doing  eood.  When  the  soiu 
is  alive  to  spiritual  and  heavenly  realities,  it  so  hates  sin^ 
and  so  loves  God  and  goodness,  that  it  will,  instinctively 
as  it  were,  shun  and  stand  at  a. distance  from  any  thing 
that  would  mar  and  destroy  its  holy  pleasure. 

A  mariner^s  life  is,  doubtless,  in  many  respects,  un- 
friendly to  spiritual  exercises,  and  lively  religious  feeling. 
Yet  this  should  only  make  you  the  mpre  resolute,  watch- 
ful and  careAiI.  There  ia  hardly  a  higher  example  of  a 
devout  and  holy  life,  than  that  wliich  was  led  b^  James 
Meikle,  on  board  a  man  of  war,  and  oden  without  a 
single  religious  friend  to  speak  to.  The  thing  th^efore 
is  not  impossible.  Daily  secret  prayer — ^fervent  efTec^cnir^ 
prayer — must  not  be  neglected*  •  The  bf»t  a'dvafttages 
for  this  are,  it  ia  admitted^  not  often  found  On  ship-board. 
StrU)  Acceptable  prayer  can  be  performed  on  board  of  any 
ship,  if  only  the  heart  is  in  the  business^  God  knows 
the  heart,  and  it  is  this'  only  that  he  re^rds  in  prayer: 
and  the  heart  may  be  lifted  up  to  hioEi,  m  any  situation 
in  which  we  can  be  placed.  You  will  have  some  op- 
portunities to  be  alone,  and  these  should  be  carefully  im- 
proved for  prayer,  devout  meditation,  and  conrnuinion 
with  God^  Read  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  much  and  as 
often  as  you  can ;  peruse  as  many  religious  tracts  as  you 
can  find ;  commit  psalms  and  hymns  to  memory ;  and 
observe  the  Lord^s  day,  as  far  as  your  circumstances  and 
occupation  will  permit.  It  may  be  that  you  will  be 
called  to  suffer  persecution  for  tlie  cause  of  Christ;  and 
if  so,  bear  it  patiently,  perseveringly,  and  with  prayer  for 
your  persecutors.  But  an  exemplaiy  and  exact  discharge 
of  all  the  duties  that  belong  to  his  station,  and  a  respect- 
ful and  ready  obedience  to  those  who  have  the  com- 
mand, will  commonly  give  even  a  common  sailor  fiivor 
in  the  eyes  of  his  superiors ;  and  wliile  diligence  and 
fidelity  in  business  is  an  important  Christian  duty  in  itself, 


-^ 


^ 


m 

Mm 

i  '4 


126         lilSMOIRS  or  gpHE  Rev.  JOSEPH  eASTB^RM. 

it  aho  serves  to  recommend  religion  to  dfhers,  v/tbr^  in 
'diced  than  .aH  the  talk  in  the  world,  if  this  be  neglected. 
It  18  doubtless  the  duty  of  seamen  ta  speak  to  each 
othe^,  on  the  coftcems  oT  their  souk.'  This,  however, 
inust  be  done  discrei^^  and  seasonably;  o&erwise,  it  may 
•Ibe  productiTe  of  more  hapm  than  good.  On  the  other 
band,  there  muM  not  be  too  \tiuch  fear  and  reserve,  in 
regai4  totiiiB  Hung.'  A  nin^  bint  or  remark,  kindly 
.given,  ^d  Accompanied  with  an  ejaculatory  prayer  -that 
God  niay  bksa  itvRia^  strike  the  heart  of  a  profane  per- 
son,4U[»  as  never  to  be  fbi^otten,  and  may  at  last  be  the 
means  of  saving  las  soul.  There  have  bejBn  many  in- 
stances of  this  kind,  and  they  afibrd  much  encoaragemcnt 
to  speak  a  word  for  God^  whenever  a  proper  opportunity 
is  offered.  Alreligious  seaman,  moreover,  who  acts  up 
to  his  t^ristian  cl»ract^,  will  commonly  hav6  the  con- 
fidence of  ^  a  Inumber  of  his  shipmates;  and  he  oidght 
>aF!ii9e  it,  whenever  be^uroperly  can^  to  converse. at  some 
lei^  i^Ub  we  And  aouftthes  of  them,  on  the  great  mat- 
iet^ot-  (heir  souPs  sanation — Seaaoss^  of  affliction,  of 
slcknest,  e^gecii^y^  may  commonly  be  improveil  ^mt  tbis 
{Mirpose.  Whenever  tnere  are  a  number  of  pious  «€»> 
men  ia  the  same  vessel,^^  they  niay  greatly  help  and  en- 
courage each  other;  an^.they  ou^^if  practicable,  to 
have  some  stated  seasons  for  social  prayer  and  piousxon- 
ference.  When  on  shore,  tbey  wi^l  of  course  resort  to 
a  Mariner^s  Church,  if  there  is  one  at  hand ;  and  they 
ought,  h^  all  means,  to  take  alone  with  them  as  many  of 
their  shipmates,  ibis  possible.  If  there  is  no  Mariner^s 
Church  in  the  port  .where  they  are,  another  place  of 
worship  should  be  attended^  Great  care  should  be  taken 
to  ^d  a  proper-  boarding-house,  free  from  lewd  and  in- 
temperate inmates ;  for  it  is  on  shore,  and  especially  in  a 
bparding«house  where  vicious  practices  are  allowed,  that 
ft  pious  seaman  will  commonly  meet  with  the  strongest 
tG«R]^tad<M>e,  to  do  something  that  will  bring  reproach  on 
religion,  and  pierce  his  own  soul  through  with  many  sor- 
rows. It  is  a  happy  circumstance  that  pain»  are  now 
taken,  in  some  places,  and  likely  soon  to  be  taken  in 
more,  to  provide  sailors  with  comfortable  lodgings,  m 


^ 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBITRN. 


127 


ore  m 
lected. 
>  each 
wever, 
it  may 
s  other 
irvie,  in 
kindly 
er-that 
ne  per- 
be  the 
lany  in- 
Lgemcnt 
>rtanity 
acts  tip 
;he  coh- 
e  o\ight 
at  some 
eat  mat* 
tion,  4)1 
r  fer  Hits 
008  -sea* 
and  en- 
able, to 
ousxon- 
resort  to 
nd  they 
many  of 
lariner'a 
)lace  of 
ye  taken 
and  in- 
Lally  in  a 
ved,  that 
strongest 
roach  on 
lany  sor- 
are  now 
taken  in 
sings,  m 


houses  where  no  vice  will  be  permitted,  and  where  they 
may  find  books  and  companions  that  will  do  them  good, 
and  keep  them  from  being  led  astray. 

The  present  is  an  age  of  missions — Missionaries  are 
sent  to  every  quarter  of  the  globe ;  and  ships  and  sea- 
men are  employed  to  transport  them.  Those  who  observe 
"  the  signs  of  the  times  ^^  notice  with  pleasure  the  erec- 
tion of  Mariner's  Churches,  and  the  zeal  that  has  been 
awakened  to  promote  the  spiritual  good  of  seamen,  at  the 
very  time  when  "  swift  ships "  are  carrying  the  heralds 
of  salvation  to  the  heathen,  even  to  the  ends  of  the  earth: 
and  they  remark  with  great  interest,  that  in  the  glowing 
description  given  of  "  the  latter  day  glory,"  by  the  evan- 
gelical prophet,*  a  part  of  that  description  is  formed  by 
the  declaration,  **  that  the  abundance  of  the  sea  shall  be 
converted,"  and  brought  into  the  Christian  church.  Hence 
they  are  led  to  hope  that  the  time  is  not  far  distant,  whea 
almost  every  ship  shall  be  in  very  deed  a  Bethel,  a  bouse 
of  God,  with  a  church  in  that  house — a  company  of  joy- 
ful Christians,  of  pious  seamen  and  devoted  missionaries^ 
who,  while  they  are  sailing  over  the  watery  waste  which 
divides  one  country  from  another,  shall  still,  even  on  the 
passage,  enjoy  all  the  privileges  of  the  Christian  church : 
and  when  they  shall  arrive  at  a  heathen  land,  shall  be 
able,  at  once,  to  exhibit  to  the  wondering  natives,  the 
worship  of  a  Christian  sanctuary  in  all  its  loveliness ;  and 
thus  commence  the  blessed  work  of  evangelizing  the  peo- 
ple, with  advantages  hitherto  unknown.  Let  pious  sea- 
men pray  much  for  the  arrival  of  this  glorious  period — 
Let  them  do  all  in  their  power  to  bring  it  forward.  Let 
them,  when  they  go  to  heathen  ports,  or  to  ports  where 
often  there  are  nominal  Christians  worse  than  heathen, — 
let  them  show,  at  least  in  their  own  example,  what  real 
Christianity  is.  Let  them  co-operate,  in  every  way  they 
can  devise,  in  the  blessed  work  of  ?-xtending  the  gospel 
throughout  the  habitable  earth.  Thus  v.  ill  they  imitate 
the  holy  man,  the  "  Mariner's  friend,"  whose  memory  is 
60  dear  to  their  hearts :  and  thus  will  they  be  preparing 


*"  Isaiah  LX. 
M 


128        MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  EASTBURN. 

to  join  and  rejoice  with  him,  in  that  haven  of  eternal  rest 
which  he  has  reached ;  and  where,  notwithstanding  the 
dangers  of  the  passage  through  this  fluctuating  and  tem- 
pestuous state,  all  who  look  by  the  eye  of  faith  unto  Jesus, 
as  the  great  pole-star  to  direct  their  course,  shall  surely 
and  safely  arrive. 


.,^- 


T'ivni- 


THE  END  OF  THE  MEMODUS. 


•u 


ih 


■r    J. 


''^.■'    i   ■**♦    ,*  f*^'"'*^**/' 


tiij. 


m-i,-:  ^fr*».  *rf 


i 


Ik' 


i       i  9  r   ' 


:i!'    fi%       *■  ■ 


'U:-f 


■m 


f  n 


i 


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APPENDIX, 


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\^tr:  f 


Mr.  Eastburn  received  a  very  large  number  of  letters, 
duriug  the  period  of  his  ministry.  Two  or  three  of  these, 
or  extracts  from  them,  have  already  been  published  in 
newspapers ;  but  many  others  have  never  as  yet  appet^ 
ed  in  print  It  is  supposed  that  a  few  of  them  will  gratify, 
and  it  is  hoped  be  useful  to,  the  readers  of  his  memoirs. 
They  are  therefore  here  subjoined  in  an  Appendix; 
together  with  some  other  papers  which  were  selected 
and  preserved  by  Mr.  Eastburn.  It  were  to  be  wished 
that  his  own  letters  to  his  correspondents  could  have 
been  obtained,  and  inserted  along  with  those  to  him.  But 
of  these  letters,  copies  of  only  two  were  found  among  his 
papers.  These  are  all  that  we  are  able  to  publish  at 
present.  , .  , 


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130 


I 


APPENDIX. 


LETTERS. 


•, 


From  Mr,  Eattburn  to  Mr,  Reynolds. 

Dear  Mr.  Reynalds, — I  have  just  received  your  very 
friendly  letter  of  the  17th  of  July  last.  It  was  handed  to 
me  in  our  Mariner's  Church,  by  a  sailor  from  New- York, 
and  contains  much  pleasing  intelligence  of  your  progress 
in  pronioting  the  cause  of  our  precious  Saviour,  and  of 
the  bringing  in  of  the  poor  seamen,  who  had  been  say- 
ing, "  no  man  cares  for  Jack  Tar's  soul," — nor  did  they 
care  for  their  own  souls.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Whitfield  said  it 
was  a  strange  thing  to  think,  that  a  sailor  could  find  the 
main-top-bolin  of  a  ship  in  the  darkest  night  that  ever 
was,  and  yert:  could  not  find  a  church  door  of  a  sunshining 
day.  But  now  they  seek  for  churches  and  prayer  meetings, 
and  it  is  to  be  hoped  the  time  to  favor  them  is  come,  and 
that  the  abundance  of  the  sea  is  coming  in ;  and  may  we 
not  hope  that  he  that  called  seamen  to  be  his  disciples  at 
the  first  spread  of  the  gospel,  is  now  calling  many  of  them 
to  be  his  messengers,  to  carry  the  gospel  round  the  globe 
they  traverse  ?  I  am  happy  to  declare,  that  I  have  good 
reason  to  believe  we  have  evidences  of  the  power  of  the 
Lord  turning  some  bold  hardened  seamen,  from  being 
bold  in  the  service  of  Satan  to  be  bold  in  the  service  of 
their  Lord  and  master;  and  we  hope  the  good  work 
among  them  is  increasing.  Our  place  of  worship,  which 
will  seat  twelve  hundred,  is  generally  crowded  and  very 
solemn.  Many  are  deeply  afiected,  and  request  to  be 
prayed  for ;  and  when  away  they  do  not  foi^et  to  write, 
and  show  that  their  impressions  have  not  left  them. 

We  have  no  regular  committees  to  conduct  our  affairs. 
Robert  Ralston,  Esq.  is  the  principal  manager  of  all  the 
temporal  concerns  of  the  church.  He,  with  Commodore 
Richard  Dale,  and  a  man  belonging  to  the  Society  of 
Friends  or  Quakers,  were  the  trustees  who  bought  the 
ground.  Commodore  Dale  is  dead.  I  expect  a  report 
of  the  church  will  be  published  soon,  but  fear  not  in 


time  to  send 


you  a  copy 


of  it. 


Dea 

Bethur 

of  you 

waited 

attentic 

who  [\ 

honte, 

until  n 

me  as  ] 

and  ma 

alarme( 

to  have 

painful 

that  be 

them  o] 

I  visite( 

and  va 

alarmec 

bidding 

temptei 

or  desf 

me,  anc 

to  those 

Our  M{ 

many  a 

meeting 

cern,  ai 

came  1: 

street, 

before, 

and  cor 

declare* 

a  great 

much  b 

I  am 

Herald 


APPENDIX. 


13 


^-^■■\t'.^ 


->;%t 


To  Mr,  Bethune, 


Dear  Sir, — I  was  in  hopes  of  seeing  you  and  Mrs. 
Bethune  on  your  return  from  Carlisle,  but  did  not  know 
of  your  passing  through  Philadelphia,  or  I  should  have 
waited  upon  you ;  as  I  feel  obligated  to  you  for  your  kind 
attention  to  me  when  in  New- York,  and  to  many  more, 
who  far  exceeded  my  expectation.  Since  my  return 
home,  I  have  been  fully  engaged  as  usual  in  visiting  daily, 
until  my  old  frame  calls  for  rest.  Many  here  look  upon 
me  as  public  property,  and  demand  my  attention  to  them : 
and  many  of  them  belong  to  no  place  of  worship,  but  are 
alarmed  when  in  sickness  with  fears  of  death,  and  desire 
to  have  a  prayer  as  a  passport  to  heaven.  It  is  indeed  a 
painful  part  of  my  calls,  to  find  so  many  ignorant  of  all 
that  belongs  to  their  soul^s  concerns,  and  to  have  to  warn 
them  of  their  danger,  when  they  are  in  pain  and  sickness. 
I  visited  one  young  woman  lately,  who  had  b^en  very  gay 
and  vain,  but  brought  low  in  sicknesSi  she  was  awfully 
alarmed,  crying  out,  "my  day  of  grace  is  past,"  and  for- 
bidding any  prayer  to  be  offered  up  for  her.  Thus  the 
tempter  is  still  carrying  on  his  craftiness,  by  presumption 
or  despair.  Many  of  the  seamen,  when  sick,  send  for 
me,  and  I  feel  more  encouraged  in  speaking  to  them,  than 
to  those  who  live  on  shore  and  neglect  the  means  of  grace. 
Our  Mariner's  Church  is  constantly  well  atiiended,  and 
many  appear  very  solemn,  and  come  in  the  close  of  the 
meeting  with  tears  flowing,  to  speak  of  their  soul's  con- 
cern, and  entreating  to  be  remembered  in  prayer.  Five 
came  lately  at  one  time,  and  another  following  in  the 
street,  who  said  he  had  never  been  so  affected  in  his  life 
before,  and  hoped  the  Lord  would  enable  him  to  be  bold, 
and  confess  him  before  men.  One  of  our  chief  Pilots 
declared,  when  a  meeting  was  dismissed,  that  he  found 
a  great  alteration  in  many  seamen  for  the  better,  and 
much  better  order  and  attention  to  duty  than  formerly. 

I  am  much  obliged  to  the  kind  editor  of  the  Christian 
Herald  and  Seaman's  Magazine,  for  sending  it  to  me. 


M3 


133 


APPENDIX. 


Mariner^s  House,  London. 
My  Dear  Sir, 
I  received  your  letters,  and  the  seanien''s  letters  accom- 

ranyiflg  them,  with  pleasure  and  thanksgivings  to  God. 
have  also  this  week  had  an  interview  with  the  captain 
of  the  Cambria,  and  learned  from  him,  as  well  as  from 
your  letters,  how  greatly  God  is  blessing  you  in  your 
'  pious  labors  among  sailors.  While  listening  to  the  state- 
ments of  captain  R.  in  his  cabin,  I  could  not  but  exclaim 
'  to  my  good  friend  Mr.  Marks,  "  Who  raised  up  an  East- 
burn  in  Philadelphia,  to  preach  to  sailors  ?  Cfannot  the 
same  divine  power  and  grace  raise  up  others  also  ?  Je- 
hovah said  of  Cyrus,  "  I  have  raised  him  up  in  righteous- 
ness, and  I  will  direct  all  his  ways.^^  What  encourage- 
ment, is  this  to  prayer,  especially  when  we  recollect 
that  it  is  said  of  Messiah,  *^  He  ascended  up  on  high ;  he 
hath  led  captivity  captive ;  he  hath  received  gifts  ^r 
,'^ifien,  even  for  the  rebellious,  that  the  Lord  God  may 
dwell  among  them.^^  May  we  all  have  an  humble  de- 
pendence upon  the  words  of  his  grace,  that  our  souls 
may  be  encouraged  to  believe,  that  when  we  are  caUed 
into  eternity,  the  same  almighty  love  and  mercy  which 
called  and  fitted  us  to  labor  among  poor  sailors,  will 
qualify  many  more  to  take  our  place,  unto  whom  it  shall 
be  said,  **  other  men  have  labored,  and  ye  have  entered 
into  their  labors." 

I  praise  God,  my  brother,  for  your  health  and  strength; 
and  I  pray  it  may  continue  yet  a  little  longer,  until  the 
work  is  more  established  in  the  world  among  sailors. 

God  has  done  great  things  for  you,  in  giving  you  a 
heart  to  love  them,  and  giving  them  a  heart  to  love  you. 
Depend  upon  it,  you  are  not  forgotten  in  our  prayers. 
Many  in  England,  when  they  read  of  your  humble  and 
pious  efforts,  cease  not  to  make  mention  of  you  in  their 
prayers.  O  that  Abraham^s  God  may  bless  you,  and 
make  you  a  blessing. 

The  committee  of  the  London  Mariner^s  Church  and 
Rivermen^s  Bethel  Union,  beg  your  acceptance  of  an  en- 

f raving  of  the  church ;    they  rejoice  to  know  that  the 
iOrd  in  mercy  still  spares  you.   I  should  be  glad  to  hear 
how  you  first  became  a  sailor^s  Preacher.    Certainly  Je« 


APPENDIX. 


135 


hovah  has  some  great  designs  of  mercy  in  causing  all 
these  great  things  in  our  day,  to  be  wrought  for  guilty 
manners.  May  the  Lord  abundantly  strengthen,  bless, 
and  sanctify  you  and  your  generous  efforts  for  his  glory. 

I  am  yours  affectionately, 
My  22iZ. .  G.  C.  Smith. 


Philadelphia^  January  18/A,  1810. 
Respected  Friend, 
The  trustees  of  the  "  Evangelical  Reformed  Congrega- 
tion," in  justice  to  their  feelings,  cannot  forbear  expressing 
their  sincere  thanks  to  you  for  the  many  services  you 
have  rendered  the  congregation,  and  in  being  instruniental 
(under  God)  of  adding  another  church  to  the  cause  of 
Christ,  ^e  trust  and  hope  you  will  visit  the  congrega- 
tion, when  assembled  together,  as  often  as  may  be  con- 
venient to  your  engagements,  and  address  them  ocg«« 
sionally  if  requisite.  We  have  enclosed  one  hundred 
dollars,  to  be  appropriated  by  you  to  such  use  as  you  may 
deem  proper ;  out  do  not  wish  it  to  be  considered  as  an 
adequate  compensation  for  your  services :  we  are  sorry 
the  funds  of  the  congregation  will  not  admit  of  enlarging 
the  sum  at  present 

We  sincerely  wish  that  when  many  shall  come  from 
north  to  south,  and  from  east  to  west,  and  sit  in  the  Re- 
deemer's kingdom,  you  may  be  one  of  that  happy  num- 
ber, and  enter  into  the  joys  of  the  Lord. 

^   .         ,  ,^  Signed  in  behalf  of  the  Trustees, 

Philip  Peltz,  President. 
Matthias  Gebler,  Secretary. 
Rev.  Joseph  Eastburn. 


[The  foregoinff  letter  is  written  on  one  side  of  a  leaf  of  letter 
paper;  and  on  me  other  side  is  found  the  following  receipt :] — 

Received,  March  3d,  1810,  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  East- 
bum,  one  hundred  dollars,  as  a  subscription  towards 
building  a  church,  for  the  Second  Reformed  Congre- 
gation. Daniel  Sutter,  Treasurer. 


'V  I 


134 


APPENDIX. 


;v■^^i/i..>    Ili     t  V^:'»«'^ 


r.M 


If'   '  StR 


London  Mariner''s  Church  and  RivermerCs 
.    *  Bethel  Union,  Wellclose  Square,    u.* 

Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, 
The  committee  of  this  institution  have  requested  me 
to  express  the  great  gratification  we  all  felt,  by  the  very 
animating  communication  you  have  sent  to  our  friend 
and  minister,  the  Rev.  G.  C.  Smith,  containing  a  delight- 
ful detail  of  the  Lord's  gracious  dealings,  as  they  regard 
your  own  individual  experience,  and  the  establishment 
and  f)rosperity  of  that  cause  in  wh:ch  you  have  been  so 
long  and  usefully  engaged ;  and  in  which  we  all  take  a 
lively  interest,  while  we  lament  that  most  of  us  should 
so  long  have  remained  indifferent  to  the  eternal  concerns 
of  seamen ;  which  sinful  apathy  i^ight  have  continued 
among  us,  had  not  the  Lord — who  is  never  at  a  loss  to 
raise  up  agents  to  be  workers  together  with  himself,  to 
<5arry  on  his  designs  of  mercy  when  the  set  time  is  come 
to  favor  any  people — have  stirred  up  Mr.  S.  on  this  side 
the  Atlantic,  as  he  has  you  on  the  other :  for  of  most,  if 
not  of  all  ministers  of  the  gospel  in  this  country,  his  la- 
bors are  more  abundant,  for  which  God  has  furnished 
him  with  strength  of  body  and  mind  above  most  of  his 
fellows.  Were  it  not  for  his  great  exertions  in  travelling 
and  preaching  nearly  in  all  parts  of  the  kingdom,  to  col- 
lect for  this  society,  which  you  may  be  aware  is  exten- 
sive in  its  operations  and  attended  with  great  expense, 
we  should  not  know  hovir  to  carry  it  on.  The  time  for 
"the  watchmen  to  see  eye  to  eye'^  is  not  yet  arrived; 
and  but  few  of  onr  ministers,  comparatively,  care  about 
sailors,  but  we  doubt  not  they  soon  will,  as  they  see  the 
work  proceed.  Indeed,  one  and  another  now  almost 
every  week,  are  virtually  saying,  "  we  will  go  with  you, 
for  we  see  the  Lord  is  with  you."  Mr.  S.  has  collected 
nearly  £200  for  the  cause  during  the  last  five  weeks,  in 
different  inland  towns ;  which  evinces  that  the  concern  of 
the  inhabitants  for  mariners  is  at  length  awakened ;  but 
so  ignorant  were  pastors  and  people  of  the  maritime 
world,  in  some  of  these  lai^e  commercial  towns,  that  Mr. 
S.'s  description  of  a  man  of  war  surprised  them  more 


:A--    * 


APPENDIX. 


135 


than  the  seven  wonders  of  the  world  ;  and  when  brought 
to  recollect  that  their  own  manufactories  were  kept  open 
by  intercourse  with  other  nations,  by  means  of  ships  con- 
taining precious  souls,  many  hundreds  have  lately,  and 
but  lately,  simultaneously  said,  *^  we  will  begin  to  do 
something  for  sailors  ;^^  and  thus  auxiliary  societies  are 
rising  up  constantly,  to  assist  by  pecuniary  means  ;  and 
monthly  prayer  meetings  are  formed,  to  implore  the  out- 
pouring of  the  Holy  Spirit  upon  mariners  all  over  the 
world. 

When  we  hear  of  you,  sir,  by  pious  men  who  vi&it  our 
Mariner's  Church,  we  rejoice  and  unite  in  spirit  with 
you,  and  fondly  indulge  the  wish  to  hear  you  there — 
but  as  that  cannot  be,  we  shall  always  be  most  happy 
to  hear  of  you,  and  particularly  from  you  by  your  re- 
freshing epistles.  After  Mr.  Smith  had  read  your  letter, 
and  I  was  appointed  to  acknowledge  it,  I  thought  it  only 
a  reasonable  request  that  I  should  be  favored  with  the 
loan  of  it  for  one  day,  but  this  (perhaps  the  only  favor  he 
would  deny  me)  was  not  granted:  he  thinks  it  is  not 
probable  he  shall  be  gratified  by  receiving  many  more 
epistles  written  with  your  own  hand — therefore  makes 
choice  of  it  accordingly.  Put  in  one  part  I  am  more 
interested  than  Mr.  S.,  where  you  alludie  to  the  death  of 
your  son.  My  first  deep  concern  for  sailors*  souls  was  ex- 
cited about  nine  years  since,  when  I  parted  with  a  prom- 
ising and  only  son  on  board  a  merchant-ship  bound  to  the 
West-Indies,  and  who  died  soon  after  his  arrival.  Though 
feeble  are  my  labors  in  the  blessed  cause  of  God  among 
our  seamen  on  the  Thames,  &c.,  they  are  the  most  pleas- 
ing and  profitable  which  ever  occupied  my  time  and  at- 
tention. They  are  the  most  earnest  and  attentive  hearers, 
and  their  prayers  and  praises  are  inspiring  to  the  preach- 
er's feelings.  May  it  please  our  heavenly  Father  to  spare 
you  yet  a  little  while  longer,  that  you  may  more  than 
ever  you  have,  see  "  the  pleasure  of  the  Lord,"  which  is 
the  salvation  of  sinners,  "  prosper  in  his  hands,"  who,  ac- 
cording to  the  years  of  your  pilgrimage,  will  very  soon 
say  to  you,  "  Well  done,  &c.,  enter  into  the  joy  of  thy 
Lord." 


136 


APPENDIX. 


|*f!  .*    ''I 


[■}■■  ■■■■    .i 


Mr.  Smith,  and  the  committee  of  this  society,  most 
sincerely  join  with  me  in  praying  you  majr  finish  your 
course  with  joy,  and  have  an  entrance  ministered  unto 
you  abundantly  into  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

I  am,  Rev.  and  dear  Father, 
«,  .  y  Your's  affectionately,. 

.  f      V  Robert  Joyce, 

J{ov,  29,  1826.  Secretary  to  the  Thames  Mission. 


Extracts  from  the  letter  of  the  Rev.  G.  C.  Smith,  dated 
Mariner'^s  House,  Wellclose  Square,  London. 

My  Dear  Sir, — ^'^  It  is  now  about  seventeen  years  since 
my  attention  was  first  directed,  by  the  God  of  all  giace, 
to  labor  more  especially  among  Sailors.  Iii'  1808,  it 
pleased  God,  in  a  singular  manner,  to  pour  out  his  Holy 
Spirit  on  many  persons  in  our  ships  of  war ;  and  in  1 809, 
I  began  a,  correspondence  with  the  Navy,  which  left  me 
at  last  in  the  direction  of  the  spiritual  concerns  of  nearly 
eighty  men  of  war.  In  1817, 1  was  mercifully  directed 
to  the  early  prayer  meetings  among  merchant-seamen  in 
the  Thames,  and  in  company  with  my  worthy  friend, 
Phillips,  laid  the  plan,  and  started  the  project  of  the  first 
Floating  Chapel,  and  the  first  Seamans'  Society  for  reli- 
gious instruction.  In  1819,  I  lamented  to  see  our  ex- 
ertions limited  to  one  Floating  Chapel ;  and  thinking  the 
Bethel  Flag  would  be  an  admirable  signal  for  universal 
invitation  to  divine  worship,  if  we  could  once  get  it  uni- 
versally introduced,  and  recognised  among  Mariners,  I 
determined  to  form  a  society  of  all  denominations,  and 
called  it  The  Bethel  Union.  After  three  months'  hard 
]abor,and  immense  discouragements,  I  succeeded, through 
the  goodness  of  God — and  have  since  assisted  to  form 
most  of  the  large  societies  in  the  chief  ports  of  the  king- 
acm,  connected  with  this  Institution.  I  started  at  much 
risk,  and  with  only  one  person  to  encourage  me,  the 
Sailors'  Magazine — which,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  I 
have  been  able  to  continue  to  this  day.  My  place  has 
been  at  the  helm  therefore  for  some  years,  and  amidst  a 
world  of  difficulties,  dangers  and  anxieties,  that  some- 


APPENDIX. 


137 


times  drink  up  and  exhaust  my  spirits ;  but  hitherto  the 
Lord  has  helped  me.  O !  how  rich,  how  sovereign,  and 
how  free,  that  grace  must  be,  that  chose  and  appointed 
and  called  a  poor,  wretched,  guilty  wanderer  or  the  sea, 
who  had  been  a  cabin-boy  in  an  American  brig  of  Salem 
— a  cable-tier-strapper  in  a  frigate — a  common  sailor  be- 
fore the  mast  in  different  line  of  battle  ships — and  a  cap- 
tain of  the  fore-top — an  officer  on  the  quarter-deck  of  a 
most  depraved  and  horridly  abandoned  man  of  war ! — 
But  so  it  is — By  the  grace  of  God  I  am  what  I  am.  Oh! 
1  have  reason  indeed  to  cry  out  with  holy  Paul, "  I  thank 
Christ  Jesus  our  Lord  who  hath  enabled  me,  for  that  he 
counted  me  faithful,  putting  me  into  the  ministry^  who 
was  before  a  persecutor,  a  blasphemer,  and  injurious." 
Ah !  fatally  injurious  to  many ! — "  But  I  obtained  mercy." 
Surely  I  may  add,  that  "  the  grace  of  God  was  exceed' 
ing  abundant  with  faith  and  love  which  is  in  Christ  Je- 
sus." O !  that  this  Almighty  grace  may  give  me  daify 
evidence  that  my  salvation  and  my  mercies  were  intended 
as  much  for  the  good  of  others,  as  of  my  own  soul !  so 
that  I  may  indeed  be  able  to  say,  **  Howbeit,  for  this 
cause  I  obtained  mercy,  that  in  me  first  among  my  sea- 
faring brethren,  Jesus  Christ  might  show  forth  all  long 
suffering,  for  a  pattern  unto  them  which  should  hereafler 
believe  on  him  to  life  everlasting."  Having  lived  to  see 
at  the  ace  of  — — — ,  the  cause  which  I  have  thus  been 
graciously  permitted  and  honored  to  begin,  extending 
itself  throughout  the  world ;  I  am  now  most  anxious  to 
consolidate  and  perpetuate  the  work  in  every  possible 
way,  and,  in  particular,  by  well-regulated  and  judiciously 
organized  establishments  on  shore. 

My  mind  has  for  some  years  been  deeply  concerned 
for  the  horrid  neighborhood  of  Tower-Hill,  St  Catha- 
rine's, Wapping,  Shadwell,  Lime-House,  Stepney,  Poplar, 
Deptford  and  Greenwich,  all  waterside  parishes  of  infa- 
mous notoriety,  where  millions  of  sea  and  river  men, 
and  their  families,  have  been  hurried  down  quick  to  end- 
less perdition.  A  few  meeting-houses  of  different  per- 
suasions existed  along  shore,  but  they  were  wholly  con- 
fined to  their  own  peculiar  worshippers. 

I  had  hitherto  resided  chiefly  on  the  other  side  of  the 


130 


APPENDIX. 


1 


It't  •  '•;« 
Tii   ■  'I 


river,  where  my  friend  Mr.  Phillips  lives,  and  in  a  neigh- 
borhood chiefly  frequented  by  coasters,  but  I  saw  no 
one  on  this  side,  who  ventured  to  act  upon  all  the  mass 
of  iniquity  that  rolled  forward  on  this  shore.  I  have 
tried  various  means  and  plans  to  urge  some  others  to  this 
station,  and  to  some  suitable  plans  for  extensive  labors 
in  it ;  but  no  one  could  or  would  be  placed  in  the  fore- 
front of  the  battle,  to  bear  the  attack  of  the  adversary, 
and  fearlessly  proclaim  war  against  all  his  hosts,  in  the 
very  heart  of  his  undisturbed  and  uncontrolled  dominions. 

These  things  induced  me  last  summer  to  devote  some' 
time  to  preaching  in  the  open  air  on  Tower-Hill,  and  in 
the  worst  part  of  this  neighborhood,  to  some  thousands 
of  wretched  sinners  of  all  descriptions.  I  had  thus  many 
opportunities  of  announcing  a  plan  I  had  long  formed  of 
having  a  land  establishment  in  these  parts,  thpit  should 
combine  a  .variety  of  essentials  for  their  mor&i  improve- 
ment, religious  instruction,  and  general  protection  of 
Mariners,  and  their  families.  While  laboring  to  diffuse 
abroad  correct  notions  as  to  the  real  usefulness  of  such 
a  plan,  I  was  invited  by  a  Norwegian  to  view  a  Danish 
church  in  this  square :  I  was  astonished  to  find  a  laige 
church,  capable  of  holding  about  1000  persons,  and  about 
200  years  old,  with  a  variety  of  conveniences,  had  been 
closed  about  nine  years.  It  was  originally  built  for  the 
Danes  and  Norwegians,  and  at  one  time  the  Danish  and 
Norwegian  captains  visiting  London,  subscribed  nearly 
£100  per  annum  to  the  support  of  the  clei^yman,  but 
of  late  years,  by  intermarriages  and  a  variety  of  other 
circumstances,  the  congregation  was  much  diminished ; 
and  when  Norway  was  ceded  to  Sweden  and  the  Nor- 
wegians had  become  Swedish  subjects,  there  was  scarcely 
any  congregation  left,  especially,  as  the  more  wealthy 
Danes  about  London,  had  become  so  anglecized  and 
mixed  up  with  our  various  English  congregations,  as  not 
to  require  any  distinct  place  of  worship. 

Under  all  those  circumstances,  the  Danish  church  had 
been  shut  up  for  years.  I  determined  immediately  to 
apply  for  it,  and  form  a  MetropoHtan  Mrriner's  and 
Rivermen's  Bethel  Union,  that  should  embrace  all  my 
views  of  a  land  establishment.  Happily  after  much  labor 


APPBNDnU 


18» 


fttid  difficQlty  I  succeeded  in  obtaining  it,  and  the  Danth 
Elders  kindly  undertook  the  repairs  of  the  roof  and  in* 
terior  to  a  very  great  extent.  Last  December  it  was 
opened,  and  the  reault  has  been  most  bless^.  It  is  fiUed 
every  Lord^g  day,  and  incalculable  good  has  been  accom* 
plished.  ,s,^-n  i,  ^.i  »  ;v  .7 

The  situation  is  most  suitable,  being  ck>se  ttt  fhe  JLok* 
don  Dock,  where  an  immense  multitude  oftiupBhy  fir 
general  ports,  and  by  means  of  which  we  can  hold  intaiv 
coarse  with  most  parts  of  the  world.  It  stands  in  tht 
very  centre  of  what  I  may  indeed  caU  HeUV  DbminioD) 
for  every  court  and  lane  is  filled  with  thieves  and 
crimps  and  prostitutes,  and  here  thousands  .of  aailoii 
perish  every  year.  '     ' 

The  yells  and  bowlings  and  screams  o{  the  most  aban* 
doned  wretches,  dra^hig  sailors  lo  their  dens,  are  to 
dreadful  every  night  at  eleven  o^cIock,  that  l  am  qbl^ed 
to  close  up  every  avenue  in  front  of  the-  house,  left  isf 
family  should  hear  their  language.  We -arc. however  id£> 
terniined  through  grace  t»  nut  black -the  torrent  that  would 
overwhelm  London  and  make  it  like  Tyre  or  Baforlon, 
when  the  Sailors  should  stand  afar  off,  and  «ay,  AIm  f 
Alas!  that  great  city!  We  have  a  dnnestic  MisBioB 
Society  (^  pious  females,  who  cover  Tracto  with  brown 
paper,  and  go  out  every  Lord's  Day  afternoon  through 
about  thirty  courts  and  alleys,  among  ^e  very  w<NiKt 
slaves  of  Hell,  and  civilly  knock  at  each  door,  leaving  4 
covered  Tract  to  lend,  saying  they  shall  call  for  it  next 
Sabbath  and  exchange  it  lor  another.  In  a  few  Sabbaths 
some  little  conversation  ensues,  when  they  civilly  invite 
them  and  the  ragged  children  to  the  Mariners'  Church. 
This  has  done  immense  good.  . .         ^ 

We  also  take  advantage  of  every  disastrous  event  that 
is  likely  to  make  a  powerful  impression ;  and  printing 
bills  to  announce  a  sermon  to  sailorg,  we  despatch  agenu 
with  them  through  the  Docks  and  Canals,  and  over  all 
the  Piers  in  the  river,  Which  is  sure  to  bring  large  hosts 
of  the- worst  characters,  and  whole  ships'  companies  are 
seen  weeping  like  little  children.  We  also  seek  after  the 
Watermen  and  Liditermen  and  Ship  Porters  at  the  6tair«« 
and  the  crews  of  Steam  Packets,  and  you  will  see  by  the 

N 


It  'I 


V 


!f 


!40 


■*^ 


APPENDIX. 


Magazine  that  we  ar&  now  determined  to  invade  tlie  ter* 
rltorieg  of  Satan  in  die  Canal  boatSf  so  that  we  wish  if 
•possible  to  purify  the  horrid  fountains  of  sin  in  London, 
that  send  forth  thar  poisonous  streams  to  !:11  parts  of  the 
United  Kingdom  ly  mland  traffic,  and  through  the  whole 
world  by  foreign  trade.  Since  we  began  this  establish* 
ment  w€  kiaYe  had  one  or  two  dreadful  shocks,  that  we 
tiiought  would  have  nearly  annihilated  all  our  hopes,  but 
more  are  they  who  are  for  us  than  they  that  are  against 
lis. .  I  have  indeed  been  strongly  reminded  of  the  words 
of  the  Hon.  and  Rev.  Gerrard  Noel  at  one  of  the  May 
meetings^  ^^  We  have,  in  order  I  conceive  to  remind  us 
how  feeble  and  mutable  are  all  hunian  things,  been  called 
to  feel  something  like  the  shock  of  an  earthquake;  the 
ground  has  seemed  for.  an  instant  to  rock  beneath  us,  per- 
haps  to  remind  us,  that  we  have  not,  with  sufficient  hu- 
mility, looked  to  that.great  and  glorious  Being,  who  alone 
4Ban  bow  ihh  hearts  of  men  as  the  heart  of  one  man ; 
bit  I  trust -jby  turning  to  Him  with  fre^b  feelings  of  af- 
fection, and  deep  contrition  and  humility  and  anxious 
player,  we  shall  fbd  that  ^at  common- ground^  which 
the  Divine  Providence  has  permitted  us  to  take  will  now 
atand  faster  and  firmer  beneath  our  feet ;  and  that  no 
circumstances  connected  with  our  destiny  in  life,  no  cir- 
cumstances connected  with  our  different  views  of  Chris- 
tianity, shall  free  us  iirom  that  sacred  inclosure  which 
the  Providence  of  God  has  placed  around  us." 
i. .  ITie  general  success  however  that  has  attended  our 
exertions,  has  been  of  the  most  extraordinary  character; 
and  I  have  no  doubt  but  if,  as  our  Newton  of  St.  Mary 
Woolwoth  and  the  friend  of  Cowper  once  sang, 


"  Satan  trembles  when  lie  sees 
The  weakest  Saint  upon  his  knees," 


that  Hell  itself  must  tremble,  at  the  prospect  of  Messiah's 
triumphs  in  this  guilty  neighborhooa. 

One  circumstance  is  very  remarkable,  viz.  the  burning 
down  of  the  Royalty  Theatre.  This  was  an  immensely 
laige  Playhouse,,  held  about  four  thousand'  persons,  and 
one  of  the  very  lowest  for  an  audience,  and  for  gross  sen- 
suality in  London.     It  was  chiefly  for  Sailors,  Prostitutes, 


f* 


river. 


\ 


AP1>ENI>!X. 


141 


Thieves,  Jfews,  Procuresses,  and  a  herd  of  their  eonnex- 
ioos.  It  was  close  to  this  square,  that  last  winter  !  haVe 
stood  and  seen  such  hosts  of  sailors  and  girlr  pour  into 
it  every  night,  with  brr^' y^  of  rum,  and  the  most  horritl 
blasphemy,  that  my  htj^.t  has  bled,  and  my  soul  shuddei^ 
ed,  to  think  of  the  consequences.  My  hopes  liave  some- 
times in  consequence  been  very  low,  and  had"^  not  been 
for  what  I  have  experienced  in  my  own  soul,  and^what  I 
have  seen  among  the  chief  of  sinners  in  other  parts,  I 
should  have  despaired  and  closed  up  the  church  doors. 
Judge  of  my  astonishment  when,  being  absent  in  the 
country  for  some  days  lately,  I  read  in  the  newspaper 
that  the  Royalty  one  night  was  burnt  to  the  ground,  nolr 
is  it  likety  to  be  rebuilt.  A  son  of  the  late  Rev.  John 
Hyatt  of  the  Tabernacle  was,  to  the  great  grief  of  his 
pious  father,  one  of  the  chief  actors.  Do  not^  those  two 
circumstances,  the  opening  Of  a  Manners'  Church,  and 
the  burning  down  of  the  Sailor's  Theatre,  indicate  SOBM 
kind  designs  of  mercy  towards  Mariners,  from  the <jrod  of 
all  grace? 

I  will  mention  one  other  proof  of  som^  infhience  in 
the  nei^bourfaood,  by  the  measures  adopted.  This  week 
the  Rev.  R.  Marks,  camei»  town,  to  attend  t>nr  &rst  an- 
niversary :  on  Wednesday  morning  1  took  him.  through 
all  the  immense  district  of  Docks  and  Shipping  on  l£e 
river. 

At  St.  Catharine's,  I  showed  him  a  place  catted  Hell- 
lane.  An  immense  number  of  the  most  horrid  and  aban- 
doned prostitutes  were  seated  as  usual ^  on  chairs  in  the 
lane,  waiting  to  seize  upon  every  sailor  that  ventured 
into  this  infernal  cavern  of  wickedness.  Having  advanced 
about  twenty  yards  into  this  lane,  I  stood  with  Mr.  M. 
pointing  to  the  women,  and  describing  the  horrible  scenes 
that  frequently  abound  here.  The  wretched  creatures 
saw  us,  and  knew  me ;  and  Mr.  M.  being  also  dressed  in 
black,  they  naturally  suspected  what  we  were,  and  to  our 
utter  astonishment,  every  one  of  them  drew  back,  re- 
entered their  houses,  pulled  back  the  most  indecent  and 
forward,  and  actually  left  us  a  clear  coast,  so  that  we 
walked  through  at  perfect  ease,  and  only  one  poor  wo- 
man ventured  to  appear  in  the  lane,  whom  we  stopped 


\l 


I 


i    ■ 


i^'i 


.*ii 


ii'Ni" 


i 


I4d 


APPENDIX. 


and  begged  to  send  her  wretched  children  to  Mariners* 
Church  SuDdftv  School.  Such  a  circumstance  I  should 
scarcely  have  believed  possible  six  months  since.  This 
I  would  humbly  hope  is  only  the  beginning  of  good  thinj^ 
•here.  'J< 

^^peaking  of  Mr.  Marks,  I  would  draw  your  attention 
lor  a  moniefit  to  this  good  man^  He  was  formerly  in  the 
^avy,.and  was  in  the  action  of  Trafalgar.  He  wa»iieu- 
tenant  of  the  Conqueror  74.  It  pleased  God  ta  awaken 
him  by' his  grace,  as  you  will  see,  if  you  have  an  oppor- 
lunity  of  reading  his  book,  called  the  *^  Retrospect,",  and 
'fkbout  1809  he  establishea  meeting^  widi  a  few  pious 
•Seanien  in  one  of  the  wings  of  that  ship,  for  prayer  and 
/or  reading  the  Bible;  whei)  he  quitted  the  Navy  about 
1810i  he  studied  at  Cambridge,  and  has  since  taken  or- 
ders for  the  Church  of- England.  He  published  his  Retro- 
bpect  a  few^'cars  »nce,  and  it  brought  him  into  notice, 
W^ben  a  gentleman  of  Great  Missender  in  Buckingham- 
Ihilne  j^rchased  the  hving  and  presented  it  to  Mr.  'M. 

About  six  years  ago,  he  was  sent  for  by  Mr.  Phillips  and 
niyself  to  visit  London,  and  preach  &r  the  Seamen ^s 
Friend  Sodiety,  and  he  has  since  that  preached^n  im 
Episcopal  Church  for  the  Society.  Last  Autumn  he 
came  rto  London,  to  attend  the  anniversary  of  the  Sea- 
men^s  Friend  Society,  it  was  my  lot  to  preach  one  of 
the  annual  sermons  at  Zion  Chapel  (Lady  Huntingdon's) 
one  of  the  laigeat  in  London.  His  mind  was  deeply  im- 
pressed, and  he  retired  determined  to  do  something  mor> , 
for  his  brother  seamen.  I  had  afterwards  an  interview 
with  him  at  the  London  Tavern,  and  urged  him  to  come 
(brward  and  advocate  the  cause  by  his  pen.  Soon  af- 
terwards he  came  to  town,  and  attended  the  Mariners' 
Church.  He  returned  to  his  vicarage,  deeply  impressed 
with  the  importance  of  the  work ;  and  he  has  since  that 
been  writing  letters,  which  have  been  published  in  the 
Christian  Guardian,  or  Church  of  England  Magazine. 
They  have  excited  very  extraordinary  sensations  in  the 
Church;  and  Iwish  I  could  get  him  to  ccnne  forward 
find  preach  for  the  cause  in  some  churches,  that  might 
be  obtained  all  over  England,  for  him :  But  such  are  his 
retired  habits,  and  his  love  to  his  parochial  charge,  thai 


he  Cftonot  be  prevailed  upon  to  travel  for  the  cause';  hisr 
heart,  however,  is  in  the  risht  place,  and  he  burns  to  see 
the  salvation  of  seamen.  In  common  with  a  few  mofe 
of  uf  in  London,  he  feels  sorrow  the  most  profound,  that 
so  VERT  SMALL  a  portion  of  the  wealth  and  influence  and 
ipiety  of  thit  large  Metropohs,  are  brought  info  the  sea- 
mens^  cause.^ 

*^  Finding  the  business  grow  upon  my  hands  to  such  an 
astonishing  degree,  I  have  beeu  obliged  to  resi^  mj  sit- 
uation as  Secretary  to  the  British  and  Foreign  SeamenS^ 
Friend  Society,  and  devote  the  whole  of  my  Tabor  to  this 
great  Metropolitan  estabFishment,  called  tile  London 
Slariners'  Church,  and  Rivermert  Bethel  Uhion.  As 
travelling  Secretary,  and  superintendent  Miuister,  I  have 
quite  enou^  now  to  occupy  me ;  and  the  Dock^,  Rivers, 
and  Canals,  present  afield  so  boundless,  that,  if  i  hid 
fifty  agents,  and  adequate  means,  I  could  employ  them 
all  in  daily  labor  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  /,     '  'I 

We  have  tiiis  week  held  our  first  anniversary.    Si^^ 
Francis  Le  Hunte,  of  the  N^vy,  in  the  chair.    It  was  a 
noble  meetiiiig.''  I  shall  send  you  the  Report,  or  Retro- 
qiect,  by  the'  next  packet'* 


Letter  to  the  Rev,  Joseph 'Eastbum,  from  three  seamen  on 
board  sf  the  ship  Jefferson,  bound  to  St.  Petersburg, 
.   Russia  f  dated  JReedif  Island,  March  2&,  I B20,    .     v 

Reverend  Sir,— With  pleasure  do  we  improve  an  op- 
portunity of  addressing  a  few  hneis  to  you ;  and  return 
our  grateftil  ^anks  and  acknowledgements  for  jour  past 
exertions  and  ai-xiety  for  our  everlasting  happmess  and 
welfare ;  and  also  to  solicit  an  interest  in  your  interces- 
sions at  the  Throne  of  Grace  for  our  protection  through 
a  vast  and  trackless  ocean,  and  our  safe  arrival  at  our 
destined  port,  and  a  welcome  and  happy  return  to  our 
friends  and  native  shore.         ^  '.'' 

We  have  for  some  time  been  attentive  hearers  at  the 
Mariners'  Church,  where  we  have  often  heard  our  mani- 
fold sins  attd  trartsgressions  plainly  elucidated,  and  have 
seen  ourselves  as  in  a  glass :  we  have  been  taught  the 
way  of  light  and  life-^everiasting,  and  to  adore  and  wor- 

•^  N2 


144 


APPENDIX. 


i  - 


1 1 


•lup  the  God  of  heaven  and  earth,  and  to  confide  in  biih 
througli  all  the  changing  vicissitudes  of  this  uneven  life, 
and  look  forward  with  h(»>es  of  salvation,  through  the 
mediatjoo  and  merits  ojT  the  dear  Redeemer  of  a  Ibst 
world.  '  .  - 

/^  May  the  prayers  of  the  church  be  heard  and  answered 
feir  our  preservation,  and  that  we  may  tread  the  paths 
of 'holiness  and  humilitv,  and  that  we:  may  live  in  the 
world  a3  becomes  the  children  of  Ood,  and  become  the 
%k  subjects  of.  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven, 
5  May  every  great  and  good  blessing  attend  you  Sir,  in 
your  exertions  to  promote  the  cause  of  Christ:  and  may 
you  live  to  see  the  fruit  of  your  labors  and  be  abundantly 
blest,  and  finally  arrive  ^t  the  haven  of  eternal  rest,  to 
shake  the  friendly  hapd,  and  sing  the  song  of  Moses  and 
the  Lamb  with  all  the  children  of  God,  and  join  in  the 
rounds  of  eternal  felicity,  where  happiness  sbaU  know  no 
respite,  and;  enjoyment  no  end. 
.  >     We  are,  aiear  Sir,  with  the  inost  sacred  respect^ 

Yours,    .  _ 

■  ;  JoscPB  B.  Daooi:t,  . 
Jeremiah  Stqw,  , 
William  Farthin, 


'      7    Ji*.»*^^ 


■.T»*.'bA»    .--t^'Vi-   ^ti": 


m 


To  the  Editors  of  the  Philttdelphia  Gazette/ 
If  it  should  not  be  viewed  as  an  unreasonable  trespass 
on  the  columns  of  your  valuable  paper,  hitherto  so  much 
devoted  to  the  best  interests  of  the  Mariner,  a  Subscriber 
would  respectfully  request  the  insertion  of  an  extract 
From  a  letter  of  T.  Phillips,  Esq.  secretary  of  the  Sea 
man''s  Friend  Society  in  London,  communicating  info^ 
mation  of  a  highly  interesting  nature  to  the  cause  of  the 
Bethel  Union  J  information  also  which  will  be  very  ac- 
ceptable to  the  friends  of  the  cause  in  other  seaports 
where  it  may  be  republished,  and  by  the  promulgation 
of  which  it  will  be  known  how  desirable  it  is  to  receive 
across  the  Atlantic,  information  of  the  progress  of  the  Re- 
deemer's Kingdom  among  the  mariners  in  the  United 


Myf 

not  eon 

to  my  i 

tpPhiU 

Father, 

making 

of  %1 

J^sus.ai 

small  ac 

J  was 

10th  of 

co.rrespc 

upon  yc 

cheering 

of  our  ^ 

he  a  stin 

it  has^  thj 

Magazin 

there  ar< 

%  tlie  j 

thankful 

up,  I  wa 

ner,  jaid 

for  his  0^ 

when  " 

unto  him 

be  fulfilk 

We  have 

Society 

in  the  est 

was  an  oi 

badge  of 

Jesus  Ch 

that  Soci< 

to  Hambi 

which  he 

Denmark, 

invite  his 

worship 


APPENDIX. 


146 


t-jn  r^ii^i^i^m'^  M  ''^  London,  9th  September  IS25. 

My  reiy  much  esteiemed  and  venerable  Father,— I  caov' 
not  commence  niy  lettcir  with  any  iMng  more  consenial 
to  my  feelings  than  a  Quotation  from  the  episHe  of  Paiil 
tci.  Philemon — ^^*  Grace -to  you,  and- peacie,  jirom  God  jour 
Father,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I  thaok  i^y  God, 
making .  mention  of  thee  always  in  ;my  prayers,  hearing 
of  Ihy  love  and  faith  which  tfa!>u  hast  toward  the  Lord 
Jesus  and  toward  all  Saints'^--^to  which  I  would  make,  a 
small  additipn^"  and  all  SaiTor^.^*  .,    ,       _      „ 

I  wa6  much  pleased  at  the  receipt  of  your  letter  dated 
10th  of  June.  I  diall  be  highly  gratified  by  your  fMture 
correspondence,  if  it  is  not  imposii^:  too  heavy  a  task 
upon  you.  "Good  news  from  a  f«ir  country y^^ is  most 
cheering,  and  while  we  can  heap  of  the  piety  and  zeal 
oif  our  mends  in  the  ports  of  the  United  States,  it  wiU 
be  a  stimulus  to  greater  exertions  here*  I  am  confident 
it  has^  this  effect  by  communication  through  the  Ssulors* 
Magazine^  not  onfy  in  London,  but  in  every  po£t  wher)^ 
the^  are  Bethel  pocietieftior  friends  who  ieel  and  care 
for  tlie  souls  of  Seamen.  We  have  reason  to  be  very 
thankful  that  new  friends  to  the  cause  are  hein^  raised 
up,  I  was  ^oing  to  say,  almost  daily,  in  a  wonderlul  man- 
ner,,and  ^is  a  convincing  proof  that  tbe  Lord  is  zi  work 
for  his  own  glory,  and  the  period  is  soon  to  approach, 
when  "  The  abundance  of  the  seas  shall  be  converted 
unto  him.^^  This  is  a  most  blessed  promise,  and  it  shall 
be  fulfilled,  though  we  may  not  be  permitted  to  see  it 
We  have  an  Institution  here  called  the  "Continental 
Society^T— its  n^embers  and  subscribers  are  principally 
in  the  establishment  A  Mr.  Von  Bulow,  who  formerly 
was  an  oiHcer  in  the  Danish  army,  and  has  received  a 
badge  of  honOr  from  his  sovereign,  is  now  a  minister  of 
Jesus  Christ,  and  has  been  taken  up  and  patronized  by 
that  Society,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks  is  going 
to  Hambui^^ — he  intends  to  purchase  a  small  vessel,  in 
which  he  means  to  visit  all  the  ports  ia  Norway  and 
Denmark,  and  with  the  Bethel  Flag  at  his  mast-head, 
iDvite  his  countrymen,  particularly  the  sieamen,  to  the 
worship  of  God,  under  the  patronage  of  the  Contiuental 


146 


APPENDdr. 


I; 


aiid  Bethel  Union  Societies.  He  has  been  visiting  and 
preaching  to  his  countrymen  on  board  their  ships  in  this 
port,  and  I  have  received  a  letter  from  him  this  day,  of 
which  the  following  is  a  copy,  viz.  :■.,-. 

Dear  Sir, — You  wish  to  know  something  of  my^op- 
-^ratiotM  among  ibre^  sailors  on  the  River  Hiames— - 
Being  a  stranger,  and  having  had  no  one  to  assist  me,  to- 
gether with  many  other  difficulties,  my  labors  have  been 
very  much  limited^  and  as  this  is  only  undertaken  with 
a  view  to  another  plan,  1  have  especially  directed  my 
visits  to  the  Norwegian  vessels— -Of  these,  I  have  in  the 
last  month  been  on  board  of  twenty-four,  together  with 
hue  Danish,  two  from  the  BaHic,  and  one  from  Finland 
-—to  all  of  them  I  communicated  the  plans  and  operations 
<i(  the  Continental  and  Bethel  Union  Societies — I  have 
sold  forty  copies  of  the  New  Testament  in  their  own 
knguage,^and  eiven  away  several  hundreds  of  Tracts. 

^^1  have  on  four  Sundays  hoisted  the  Bethel  Flag  on 
ifour  difierent  Norwegian  vessels,  and  preached  to  con- 
gregations of  from  tweiify  to  forty  perMns  who  were  veiy 
att^tive,  and  thanked  me  for  iny  trouMe. — One  of  tfaie 
captains  was  oHich  pleased  to  hear  some&ing  was  to  be 
done  for  fisheimen  and  seamen,  who  were  vei7  much  ne- 
glected in  thatt^buntry,  and  tliey,  as  well  as  the  landsmen, 
do  more  generally  use  the  Sunday,  and  the  opportunity 
Wtiich  the  excursion  to  church  gives  them,  to  visit  the 
different  inns  on  the  way,  and  drink  themselves  drunk. 
But,  {said  he)  if  sound  doctrine  was  preached  to  them, 
and  they  got  the  word  of  God,  he  hoped  it  would  make 
an  alteration.-^So  you  see,  my  dear  sir,  a  little  cloud  has 
ascended,  and  by  the  blessing  of  the  Lord,  it  may  pour 
out  a  fruitful  rain ;  and  althou^  it  is  a  very  rocky  and 
stony  country,  there  are  many  fine  valleys,  and  the  seed 
may  grow  there^  and  bring  fruits  to  the  glory  of  our  God 
and  of  liis  Christ — The  harvest  is  great,  but  the  laborers 
are  few — may  the  Lord  raise  up  many  of  this  people  to 
turn  their  backs  upon  the  things  of  the  world,  and  use 
all  tibe  gifts  which  (hey  possess,  to  promote  the  kingdom 
of  God,  and  the  salvation  of  poor  lost  sinners.  I  trust 
the  Lord  will  let  his  tmmpet  sound,  and  call  his  valiant 


« 


APPENDIX. 


*147 


to  battle,  and  awaken  them  who  sleep.    *  Pray  for  me, 
dear  eir,  that  I,  a  weak  vessel  may  become  strong  m  the 
Lord — may  He  be  with  you,  and  all  his  Israel. 
Your  fellow-servant  in  Christ  Jesusy 

(Signed)     Von  Bulow. 

*  I  beg  leave  my  dear  Father  to  call  your  attention  to 
his  last  sentence— he  requests  my  poor  prayers  at  the 
Throne  of-  Grace — he  shall  have  tnem,  that  the  Lord 
may  bless  him  and  preserve  him,  and  make  hhn  a  blessing 
among  the  Seamen  and  Fishermen  of  his  cOun^ — And 
shall  he  not  have  the  fervent  |)rayer8  of  my  beloved,  my 
venerable  father — the  friend  of  Sailors,  the;  Pastor  of  the 
Mariner^s  Church  in  Philadelphia  ?  Yes !  he  shall,  and 
the  Lord  will  answer  them.  Shall  he  not  have  the  prayers 
of  our  beloved  pious  American  captains,  mates,  and  sea- 
men ?  Yes !  he  shall  have  those  toor->^ShalI  not  the  friends 
of  the  Redeemer  on  board  the  Globe,  Victory,  Lancaster, 
George,  Jane,  President,  Evelina,  Commodore  Barry, 
Franci»,  Delight,  and  others  now  before  me  (for  which  I 
thank- you)  pour  eai  their  prayers  for  a  blessing  upon 
hmi  and  this  new  opening  in  Providence  to  do  good  to 
Sailors^  when  they  meet  for  the  solemn  worship  of  God 
in  tbe^ cabin  or  forectistle  of  their  respective  ships  ?  Will 
not  the  pious  captain  Calvin  Tubbs,  and  captain  Dunton, 
pray  for  Von  Bolow? 

He  will  leave  England  for  the  North,  in  the  fall  of  the 
year — a  time  particularly  dangerous  for  navigators ;  but 
it  is  delightful  to  know,  that  the  Lord  rei^eth,  and  he 
holds  the  winds  in  his  fist  and  the  waters  m  the  hollow 
of  his  hand. — His  word,** Peaces  be  still,"  can  cahn  the 
most  violent  sea-'— I  hope  to  be  able  to  send  herewith  Re- 
ports of  the  Continental  Society  and  some  others.— -Our 
friends  at  Hull  have  lately  been  taking  up  another  class 
of  foreign  sailors.  They  had  many  Dutch  vessels  there, 
and  in  one  of  them,  they  found  a  pious  captain.  They 
asked  him  if  he  would  preach  to  his  countrymen,  on 
board  the  Floating  Chapel  there.  He  consented ;  and 
the  first  sermon,  he  had  eighty  Dutch  shippers,  steermen, 
and  sailors :  and  the  following  Sabbath,  he  preached  to 
a  hundred  or  more  of  his  brother  sailors ;  and  it  is  hoped 
a  blessing  attended  the  services.    In  addition  to  the 


^ 


c 


M 


I 


'1 


m 


148 


APPfiNinX. 


Bethel  Flag  at  the  mast-head,  they  had  on  these  occasions 
a  new  Dutch  Jack  as  a  signal  for  divine  worship.  I 
cannot  hut  consider  it  as  a  token  for  good,  the  wonrings 
of  Providence  in  this  cause.  The  letter  from  Hull,  com- 
municating this  pleasant  account,  is  dated  (I  believe,)  the 
16th  June;  and  a  few  days  after  Iread  a  letter  from  a 
captain  of  the  Navy  of  the  King  of  the  Netherknds, 
dated  from  Rotterdam,  I  believe  the  17 th  June^  devoting 
himself  to  the  cause  in  that  part  of  Europe,  and  request- 
ing his  name  to  be  put  down  as  a  subscriber  to  the  So- 
ciety here--you  will  see  his  letter  in  the  Marine  sent 
herewith.  I  have  written  to  him  in  reply,  with  reports 
of  the  Society,  Magazines,  &C;  urging  him,  as  strongly  as 
possible,  to  proceed  in  Ihe  noble  cause,  assuring  him  that 
the  blessing^  of  Qod  will  attend  his  exertions.  Thus, 
my  venerable  and  esteemed  father,  is  the  work  in  a  state 
of  progress,  and  all  the  Devils  in  Hell  will  not  be  able 
to  stop  it — they  have  too  long  reigned  in  the  hearts  of 
seamen,  but  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  is  arising  with 
healing  in  his  wings,  and  they  must  4ubmit.  But  while 
present  prospects  are  most  pleasing,  th«ve  is  very  nmek 
to  be  done — -We  are  only  just  putting  on  the  armor,  and 
must  not  boast  as  they  who  are  putting  it  off— Satan  will 
not  quietly  lose  his  victims — he  will  raise  up  enemies — 
yes,  even  among  those  who  are  the  professed  friends  of 
the  Redeemer,  and  some  half-hearted,  cold,  calculating 
prudential  persons  (we  have  some  out  here,  and  perhaps 
you  may  Imve  others  in  America)  will  be  ready  to  say 
^*'  this  is  not  the  proper  time — the  Lord  will  do  the  work 
by  his  Holy  Spirit  in  his  own  way,"  &c.  &c.  We  know 
this  as  well  as  they,  but  while  the  great  Jehovah  is 
pleased  to  work  by  instruments,  it  is  our  duty  to  go  for- 
ward ;  and  if  we  work  wi^  a  single  eye  to  his  glory, 
sailors  will  be  converted,  and  He  shall  have  the  glory, 
-  Our  anniversary  is  settled  to  be  on  the  20th  October, 
before  which  I  hope  you  will  receive  this.  Let  us  haye 
an  interest  in  your  prayers  for  the  blessings  of  God  upon 
us.  Our  pious  and  venerable  President,  Admiral  Lord 
Gambier,  has  promised  to  be  with  us  D.  V. — and  as  the 
public  feeling,  as  it  respects  the  religious  instruction  of 
seam^,  has  not  decreased,  I  expect  that  many  will  not 


^ 


% 


▲pp£in>ix. 


149 


be  able  to  obtain  admittance,  as  was  the  case  last  year. 
I  shall  send  you  one  of  the  Reports,  when  they  are  print- 
ed ;  and  as  l  am  not  acquainted  with  the  names  of  the 
worthies  in  the  different  ports  of  America,  who  belong 
to  Bethel  Union  Societies,  I  shall  intreat  you  or  Mr.  R. 
to  circulate  them,  and  intreat  their  correspandence  with 
us,  aff  we  are  very  anxious  to  know  how  tne  cause  pro* 
ceeds  in  every  part  of  the  world* 

One  instance  I  must  relate,  which  proves  the  utility 
of  the  measures  adopted  to  evangelize  Seamen.  It  was 
related  to  me  by  my  worthy  friend  Capt.  Wilkins,  in 
whose  ship  I  attended  the  first  Sailor^s  Prayer  Meeting 
in  the  Thames,  and  in  consequence  of  that  attendance, 
all  the  public  measures  that  have  since  been  taken  arose 
— he  had  the  account  from  a  Wesleyan  minister.-^One 
of  our  Downs  Pilots  boarded  a  ship,  to  bring  her  to  Lon- 
doB-^as  soon  as  he  got  on  deck,  he  began  to  bluster  and 
swear  most  horridly,  as  is  too  much  the  custom  with  tiiese 
men — the  mate  came  up  to  him,  apd  said  *  yoa  must  not 
swear  here;  the  captaw  will  not  aflow it.*  This  iunt 
was  not  strong  enou^ ;  he  went  on  as  before,  which 
broutfht  ^'^ptain  from  the  cabin,  to  know  the  reason; 
and  finding  the  pilot  obstinate,  he  ordered  him  out  of  the 
ship,  and  took  aitother.  He  went  off,  and  soon  after 
boarded  another,  and  immediately  as  before  gave  his 
orders  with  oaths  and  imprecations — a  sailor  stepped  up 
to  him  and  said  *  you  must  not  swear  in  this  ship,  it  is  not 
allowed — the  Bible  prohibits  it^  and  our  cap^in  won't 
allow  it^  He  said  ^  it  was  impossible  to  navigate  a  ship 
without,  and  swear  he  must.* — The  sailor  replied  *  why, 
we  Ve  taken  the  ship  to  Leghorn  and  back  without  swear- 
ing, and  it's  veir  hard  if  she  cannot  be  taken  from  the 
Downs  to  the  Thames  without.'  The  end  of  the  busi- 
ness was,  that  he  was  turned  out  of  the  second  ship — he 
boarded  a  third,  and  was  turned  out  of  her  for  swearing, 
and  another  taken  in  his  place.  He  was  so  astonished, 
that  when  he  met  a  brother  Pilot  on  shore,  he  told  him 
all  about  it,  and  that  the  sailors  had  said  that  the  Bible 
did  not  allow  swearing ;  what  sort  of  a  book  is  the  Bible? 
His  companion,  about  as  ignorant  as  himself,  holding  out 
his  hands,  said,  Mt  is  a  book  about  so  big,  and  it  is  all 


*»: 


*./' 


# 


ll 


f 
! 


"■:*-J 

,3 

r't.'i 

I    '  T,, 


160 


APPENDIX. 


full  of  religion.*  The  Pilot  declared  he  wouM  hay  ooi 
to  see  aH  about  it — Who  can  tell,  but  that  the  Lofd  di- 
rected him  to  those  ships,  and  that  he  may  have  desi^^i 
of  mercy  to  this  poor  blaspheming  pilot  ?  Eternity  may, 
and  will,  declare  many  strange  and  unexpected  things. 
Many  wrill  be  found  in  Heaven  that  we  little  ei^pect  to 
flee  there;  and  many  perhaps  excluded  who  we  reason* 
ably  expected  would  be  there. 


ki.      ■    :  -■ 

p'.'f'  Skip  Caledonia,  M(^  ^Zthi  1^27^ 

^*  Respicted  Sir, 

'  It  is  with  feelings  the  most  sincere,  that  we  embrace 
(he  present  opportunity  of  addressing  these  few  lines  to 
you,' as  the  worthy  pastor  of  the  Manner's  Chtth:h,  the 
good  eff^ts  of  which,  will  always  be  as  deeply  felt  as 
admired.  We  make  no  hesitation  in  saying,  that  since 
the  f<Minda^n  of  the  Ijiatrtution  in  which  you  have  so 
i^loudy  engaged  from  its  eonunencement,  we  have  ex- 
perienced  the  most  beneficial  efiects,  aiKi  wlucfa  can 
never  be  forgotten.  .  We  are  at  present  bound  on  %Ae\Bii 
voyage,  and  put  our  only  trust  in  Him  who  can  contFol 
the  winds  and  waves.  Please  to  remember  us  in  your 
prayers.  We  are  all  perfectly  satisfied,  so  far,  with  our 
situation.  For  the  future  welfare  of  the  churchy  and  its 
object,  and  for  the  healtli  of  its  founder,  we  Ihe  sub- 
scnbers,  crew  of  the  ship  Caledonia,  sincerely  pray. 


^^^^I. 

•  -' 

% 

■"■■;  f 

rV^ 

'■*■ 

■•- 

.^'l-. 

I 

««^.-" 

u 

•>■ 

■f    , 

..:!■ 

Tsk 

m' 

V'l} 

s«^ 

'r--  i 

(-' 

John  Gilliard,  jr. 
Enoch  Stevens,        ,'  , 
John  Bliven, 
William  Pride, 
Nicholas  Vanderhoven, 
Samuel  Bragden, 
Edward  Haines,       ^  ' 
Richard  Lacey,     *  ,^''* 
Sanmel  Brown,      "  *  ;f 
William  Bowden, 

John 


■-'V  i.  •*» 


'■'i   "i    y -»     >» ■ 


■•''"■'>'♦/■ 


John  Smith, 
Abel  Stevens, 

"  Geoi^e  Wilson, 
Church  Hagens, 
Thomas  C.  Olby, 
Adam  Strieker, 

'  John  P.  Monell, 
Henry  Wharton, 
Charies  Whitman. 

Barr,  2rf  Officer, 


M 

Belie 

have  pi 

once  m( 

here  frc 

I  am  no 

delphia 

1  cam 

the  Rei 

kindest  i 

many  yc 

and  conl 

you,  by  j 

nal  and  i 

has  been 

labor,  an 

iner's  C 

desired,  i 

your  sou 

a  comfor 

mentality 

I  hear  yo 

peace." 

And  n( 
which  pa 
"  wait  wi 
in  the  wi 
—and  en 
the  rich  a 
The  Lon 


APPEMDn. 


151 


From  the  Rev,  Dr,  Brodhead,  ■ 

J^ew-York^  Kovembir  Mth^  t827. 

My  very  venerable  and  dear  old  friend, — 
Believe  me  when  I  say,  I  have  not  foi^otten  you.  I 
have  put  off*  writing  to  vou  in  the  hope  of  seeing  you 
once  more  on  this  side  of  eternity.  I  have  been  detained 
here  from  week  to  week  with  necessary  business,  so  that 
I  am  now  almost  afraid  to  undertake  a  journey  to  Phila- 
delphia this  season, 

I  cannot,  however,  suffer  the  opportunity  presented  by 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Livingston,  to  pass,  without  sending  my 
kindest  and  best  wishes  to  one  who  has  been  to  me,  for 
many  years,  a  valuaMe  counsellor  in  all  spiritual  duties 
and  conflicts.  May  the  dear  Saviour  continue  to  reward 
you,  by  giving  to  you  the  continual  assurance  of  his  eter- 
nal and  unchangeable  love.  I  understand  that  the  master 
has  been  pleased  to  withdraw  you  from  the  field  of  public 
labor,  and  that  another  voice  is  now  heard  in  the  Mar- 
iner^s  Church.  It  is  well.  For  what  could  you  have 
desired,  more  than  you  have. seen?  The  object  dear  to 
your  soul  has  been  accomplished,  and  the  seamen  have 
a  comfortable  place  for  worship.  Through  your  instru- 
mentality has  all  this  been  accomplished.  And  methinks 
I  hear  you  say,  ^^  now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in 
peace." 

And  now,  my  dear  old  friend,  "  May  the  peace  of  God 
which  passeth  all  understanding  be  with  you."  May  you 
"  wait  with  patience  all  the  days  of  your  appointed  time" 
in  the  wilderness — ^pass  over  me  Jordan  of  death  in  joy 
— and  enter  into  the  Canaan  of  everlasting  rest,  praising 
the  rich  and  sovereign  grace  of  your  ahni^ty  Redeemer. 
The  Lord  of  his  mercy  grant  it.    Farewell. 

.  I  am  yours  in  the  bonds  of  the  gospel, 

J.  Brodhead. 


O 


153 


APPENDIX. 


When  the  place  of  meeting  for  Beamen  was  trani ferred 
from  the  sail-toft  to  the  sesiion-room  of  the  3d  Presbjr- 
terian  Church  of  Philadelphia,  the  following  hymn,  com- 
poted  for  the  occasion,  was  sung. 


HYMN. 

Hohr  be  tUs,  m  wm  the  pkce 
To  biin,  of  Padan-aram,  Enown ; 
When  Abrahaai's  God  revealed  bis  fiure 
And  caught  the  pilgriin  to  the  throne: 
O,  how  transporting  was  the  glow 
Which  thrill'd  bis  bo8<wn.  mivd  with  fear, 
"  Lio,  the  Eternal  walks  below — 
The  Highest  tabernacles  here !" 

Be  ours,  when  faith  and  hope  grow  dim. 
The  glories  which  the  Patriarch  saw; 
And  when  we  faint,  may  we  like  him 
Fresh  vigor  from  the  vision  draw. 
Heaven's  li^^tning  hovered  o'er  his  head, 
And  flash'd  new  splendors  on  his  view, — 
Break  ibrthj  thou  Sun  !  and  freely  shed 
Glad  rays  upon  our  Btlhel  too. 

,  'Tis  ours  to  sojourn  in  a  waste 
Barren  and  cold  as  Shinar's  ground ; 
No  fruits  of  Eschol  chann  the  taste, 
No  streams  of  Meribah  are  found, — 
But  Thou  canst  bid  the  desert  bud 
With  more  than  Sharon's  rich  display; 
But  Thou  canst  bid  the  cooling  j3ood 
Gush  from  the  rock  and  cheer  the  way. 

We  tread  the  path  thy  people  trode, 

Alternate  sunsnine,  bitter  tears ;  \         ' 

Go  Thou  before,  and  with  thy  rod 

Divide  the  Jordan  of  our  fears. 

Be  ours  the  song  of  triumph  given, 

Anselic  themes  to  lips  of  clay, —         *' 

And  ours  the  holy  harp  of  heaven,      •  -   1^-.^,  j  ;*- 

Whose  strain  dissolves  the  soul  aw^.  .^  ^  Iff 


A*  • 

I 


The  foil 
after  the  li 
on  the  21e 


On  sabb 
nal  for  mei 
this  city. 
Miss  Eliza] 
ties,  in  col] 
made  by  M 
tously  paini 
obtained,  b 
chased  for 
distribution 
The  flag 
and  white  I 
morning  an< 
wing,  with  i 
torn,  an  ancl 
The  Rev. 
the  congregi 
Hebrews, 
refuge  as  ins 
cessity  for  s 
tion,"  by  *^ 
before  them' 
the  doctrine 
that,  as  the  < 
ness  of  nigh 
and  as  the  n. 
light  of  ever 
like  the  dove 
would  fly  to 
come  person 
as  an  anchor 
sure  him  an 


M 


IT  .. 


APPENDIX. 


15S 


The  following  article  appeared  in  a  public  paper,  shortly 
after  the  hoiHtine  of  a  new  flag  at  the  Mariner^s  Church, 
00  the  2l8t  of  January  1833. 

THE  MARINER'S  CHURCH. 

On  sabbath  morning  last,  21st  inst  a  new /7a^,  (he  sig- 
nal for  meeting,  was  hoisted  at  the  Mariner*t  Church  in 
this  city.  This  flag  was  procured  by  the  exertions  of 
Miss  Elizabeth  White  and  sister,  of  the  Northern  Liber* 
ties,  in  collecting  subscriptions  for  the  purpose.  It  wat 
made  by  Mr.  Dunton  at  a  very  low  charge,  and  gratui* 
tously  painted  by  Mr.  Woodside ;  so  that,  with  the  money 
obtained,  besides  the  flag,  several  chairs  have  been  pup 
chased  for  the  use  of  the  Church,  and  some  tracts  Ibi 
distribution. 

The  flag  is  in  size,  13  by  8  (eeU  with  an  azure  field, 
and  white  border.  The  symbols  are — on  the  top,  the 
morning  and  evening  stars ;  in  the  centre,  a  dove  on  tlie 
wing,  with  an  olive-branch  in  her  mouth ;  and  at  the  bot- 
tom, an  anchor.  Inscription—'  MARINER'S  CHURCH.' 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Eastbum,  the  stated  preacher,  addressed 
the  congregation  from  the  four  last  verses  of  the  6th  chap. 
Hebrews.  He  spoke  of  the  stability  of  the  Christian's 
refuge  as  insured  by  God's  immutability ;  and  of  the  ne- 
cessity for  sinners  actively  to  endeavor ''  to  obtain  salva- 
tion," by  ^fiying  for  refuge  to  lay  hold  on  the  hope  set 
before  tnem  in  the  sospel.'  He  illustrated  the  import  of 
the  doctrine  by  reternn^  to  the  emblems  on  the  flag ; 
that,  as  the  evening  star  mdicated  the  approaching  dark- 
ness of  night,  so  the  shades  of  death  were  advancing ; 
and  as  the  morning  star  denoted  the  dawn  of  day,  so  the 
light  of  everlasting  day  would  rise  upon  every  soul,  who, 
like  the  dove  that  '^  found  no  rest  for  the  sole  of  her  foot," 
would  fly  to  Jesus  Christ  the  Ark  of  safety,  and  thus  be- 
come personally  interested  in  that  heavenly  hope,  which,, 
as  an  anchor^  would  secure  him  from  shipwreck,  and  in- 
sure him  an  abundant  entrance  into  the  haven  of  rest 


154 


APPENDIX. 


'  The  foUowiag  hymn,  of  which  a  number  of  printed 
copies  were  presented  by  Mr.  Mentz,  was  sung  on  the 
occasion.  \ 

A  MARINERS'  HYMN,  C.  M. 

Presented  to  the  Rev.  Joseph  Eastburn,  a  Pilot  of 
Jtsus  Christ,  the  Captain  of  his  Salvation,  and  now 
cruising  in  the  offing  of  Eternity. 

Written  hy  J.  W.  S — ,  and  sung  hy  the  congregation  in 
the  Mariner"* s  Church  in  Fhilaaelphiay  on  Sabbath  2lst 
January^  when  the  new  Flag  of  the  Church  was  hoisted. 


■i^ 


* 


wv' 

-•»    #vt -a. 

■tv 

■  ^ 

'^  - 

^.vu.iv 

*v 

■-.  ^  ,^::< 

X 

.-ii," 

■r.  -m  =^ 

1  While  o'er  the  swelling  sea  of  life, 
Poor  sinnera  heedless  sail, 

Their  guilty  passions  drive  them  for, 
Till  cheering  prospects  fauL 

2  Then  gloomy  storms  and  fearful  roar 

)  Of  tempests  threaten  death ; 
And  yet  sdl  hands  despise  the  name   ^  j  ; 
^f  God  who  gives  them  breath.     ■  J 

3  But  Oh !  how  mercifkl !  how  good 
.    Is  He  whom  sinners  hate! 
He  kindly  sends  his  Pilots  out 

To  warn  them  of  iheix  fate. 

4  [Along  the  dang'rous  coast  of  Time, 
The  Pilots  hail  each  crew — 

*  The  gulph-siiream  sets  to  endless  woe, 
*■      *  The  dismal  port's  in  view !] 

5  '  See  hoisted  high  the^Iog-  of  love, 

*  By  heav'nly  breezes  waved; 

*  Here  Sailors,  stop,  and  orders  hear,— 
—      *  Obey,  and  youll  be  saved. 

6  '  The  Captain  of  Salvation  calls, 

*  O  wretched  Seamen  stay ! 

*  Now  change  your  course  and  heavenward  steer, 

*  The  Pilots  show  the  way. 

7  *  Then,  like  the  gtart  of  mom  and  eve,  ,   . 

*  Your  future  days  shall  prove; 

*  Nor  storms  of  death  your  hope  destroy, 

*  For  Christ  your  souls  will  love. 

8  *  The  dove  of  peace  portends  the  land 

*  Of  joy  and  holy  rest; 

*  There  Jesus  dwells  and  makes  his  saints 

*  With  him  for  ever  blest.' 


.  .*«-« 


APPENDIX.  155 

The  two  last  stanzas  particularly  allude  to  the  em- 
blematical figures  on  ihejlag. 

The  diore  1^  peace  portendt  the  kmd — 

^-It  is  common  for  resseis  at  sea,  when  nearine  the  land, 
to  be  visited  by  the  plumy  inhabitants  of  the  forests. 
And  sometimes,  after  recent  storms,  having  been  driven 
by  the  gale  beyond  their  usual  flights. 


These  little  warUert, 
Wearv  on  the  wing,  alight  upon  the  masts, 
And  cheer  the  sailors  with  their  grateful  song. 


J.  w.  s. 


^•»rj-r*t;5 


The  following  account  of  the  placing  of  a  miniature 
ship  over  the  pulpit  in  the  Mariner^s  Church,  was  found 
among  Mr.  Eastburn^s  papers,  in  his  own  hand-writing. 

The  seamen  of  the  ship  Benjamin  Rush,  in  a  voyage 
to  Canton,  prepared  a  miniature  ship,  completely  rigged, 
and  moored  it  over  th^  pulpit  of  the  Manner^s  Church. 
The  captain,  Levi  Barden,  named  it  Bett/dA,  which  name 
was  placed  on  the  burgee,  at  the  fore-top-mast  head. 
On  the  main-top  was  the  word  Bethel,  in  the  flag ;  the 
ensign  was  the  American  colors,  with  the  jack  ahead, 
with  the  stars.  The  day  after  it  was  put  up  being  the 
sabbath,  the  speaker,  in  order  to  draw  the  minds  of  the 
people  off  from  it  as  a  toy,  endeavored  to  show  the  im- 
provement that  might  be  made  of  this  beautiful  little 
ship.  First,  the  hull,  containing  so  many  pieces  bound 
round  with  plank,  was  like  our  bodies  with  their  flesh  and 
skin.  If  a  plantc  should  start,  the  ship  would  sink,  and  if 
the  thread  of  life  should  break  the  soul  would  depart 
If  but  a  leak  was  made,  it  would  cost  much  labor  at  the 
pumps ;  so  sin  brings  on  trouble  and  sorrow.  The  masts 
and  rigging  were  to  spread  sails  upon,  to  receive  the 
wind  necessary  to  convey  the  ship  to  the  port  to  which 
they  intend  to  go;  so  seamen  must  use  the  means  of 
grace,  if  they  would  hope  to  enter  the  port  of  glory.  The 
designs  of  the  flags  were  all  noticed,  with  the  anchor  and 
compass,  to  which  very  great  attention  was  paid. 

02 


150 


APPBJNDIX. 


'J 


The  ibUowtog  st^temeiit  was  also  found  in  Mr.  £ast* 
bura^s  hand-writing : — 

*^  On  the  15th  Feb^y.  1820,  John  Evans,  a  sailor,  came 
with  another,  requesting  bibles  to  take  to  sea.  Evans 
said  he  should  not  have  asked  one  as  charity,  but  that  he 
had  been  cast  away,  and  lost  all  he  had;  but  he  said  if 
he  should  be  spared  to  return  from  this  voyage,  he  would 
repay  it  seven-fold.  He  acknowledged  he  had  received 
tracte  at  the  Mariner^s  Meeting,  which  had  reminded  him 
of  his  former  wickedness ;  that  while  he  was  handing  sail 
in  a  gale  of  wind,  he  called  upon  the  Lord  to  damn  his 
eyes  ;  when  immediately  the  end  of  a  rope  struck  out  the 
sight  of  his  right  eye,  which  he  showed.  He  also  said 
that  since  the  meeting  had  commenced,  a  reformation 
had  taken  place  among  many  of  the  seamen.  Many  of 
the  seamen  lamented  when  ,the  Board  of  Health  forbid 
the  continuance  of  the  Maiiner^s  Meeting ;  and  several 
isaid  it  had  been  a  blessing  to  them.  One  declared  he 
would  not  part  ^ith  what  he  had  received  while  attend- 
ing there,  for  all  Philadelphia." 


•M^ 


,-!!■'; 


A-^f^A' 


'■tf   ■■**■.  "a-r 


"^  The  following  memorandum  appears  to  have  been 
made  by  Mr.  Eastburn,  with  a  view  to  aid  his  memory 
in  a  report  to  the  presbytery — It  will  serve  to  show  the 
nature  of  those  reports,  and  the  success  of  his  ministry : — 
**  To  notice  the  young  man  that  received  a  bible  in  the 
appearance  of  a  sailor,  and  has  been  reformed — Of  several 
boYS  reclaimed  by  attending  at  the  Mariner's  Meeting-— 
Of  a  man  who  was  very  wicked  and  bad  to  his  family, 
but  is  now  reformed  and  attends  the  meeting  with  his 
family,  and  wants  to  assist  in  supporting  it — Of  a  young 
woman  who  cried  out  in  the  meeting,  and  has  since  be- 
come very  orderly — Of  the  many  requests  of  seamen  to 
be  prayed  for — Uf  the  seamen  stopped  at  the  Reedy 
Island  Piers,  wishing  that  the  meeting  might  be  bett<T 
known — A  request  from  Bermuda  of  a  captain  and  crew 
to  be  still  remembered  in  prayer  at  the  church/^ 


APPENDIX. 


157 


-»^.r  ■ 


The  following  Hymn  was  found  in  m^uscript  among 
the  papers  of  Mr.  Eastburn.  It  is  not  known  that  it  bar 
before  been  published. 

THE  SEAMAN'S  HYMN. 

O  Thou  eternal  riewless  God 

That  ridest  on  the  seas. 
Thou  that  controUest  witn  a  nod 

The  billow  and  the  breeze— 

Thy  powerful  arm  alone  can  save 

Thv  children  on  the  deep. 
Can  bear  them  o'^r  the  curling  wave, 

And  down  th^  threat'ning  steep. 


^  a 


V        "'y    - 


Though  staunch  our  bark  and  proud  her  way, 

Though  breezes  swell  the  sails, 
Ye.t  Lord,  if  thou  art  not  our  stay, 

The  seamaji's  courage  fails. 

Be  thou,  O  God!  our  kind  support, 

Our  earnest  hopes  fulfil  i 
On  the  wild  ocean,  or  in  port, 

Be  thott  our  anobar  «tiU. 

May  we  escape  the  dangerous  ground, 

And  while  thy  strength  we  feel, 
Help  us  to  keep  each  timb^  sound, 

With  grace,  our  chosen  keel. 

And  O !  when  near  temptation's  sboal. 

No  beacon  shines  from  far. 
Cheer  thou  the  seaman's  anxious  soul 

With  Bethlehem's  b(dy  star. 

Jesus,  our  helm,  we  look  to  thee. 

Nor  shall  we  look  in  vain. 
From  quicksands  thou  wilt  keep  us  free. 

And  guide  us  o'er  the  main. 


And  soon,  our  chequer'd  voyage  o'er. 
And  yfe  have  crossed  life's  sea, 

Grant  that  our  crew  may  tread  the  shore 
Of  bless'd  eternity. 


-    '    t'i'.:" 


i>.uV 


The  name  and  the  contemplated  enterprise  of  Mr. 
Von  Bulow  are  mentioned  in  one  of  the  preceding  letters, 
addressed  to  Mr.  Eastburn.  The  following  printed  cir- 
cular, containing  information  in  regard  to  his  first  mis- 
sionary voyage,  and  of  a  second,  for  which  be  was  pre- 


158 


APPENDIX. 


paring,  was  also  addressed  to  Mr.  E.,and  will  be  gratify- 
ing to  those  who  take  an  interest  in  the  attempts  now 
making  to  evangelize  seamen. — And  it  may  also  be  df  use 
to  correct  an  idle  story,  which  has  been  printed  and  exten- 
sively circulated,  that  Marshal  Von  Bulow,  who  com- 
manded the  advance  of  the  Prussian  arm}^  at  the  battle 
of  Waterloo,  had  become  a  Christian  missionary.  The 
identity  of  name,  and  similarity  of  previous  military  char- 
acter, have  probably  led  some  one,  who  possessed  more 
zeal  than  knowledge  or  prudence,  to  circulate  a  story 
which  is  calculated,  by  its  entire  falsehood,  to  injure  the 
cause  of  Christian  missions — Marshal  Bulow  has  never 
been,  and  probably  is  never  likely  to  be,  a  Christian 
missionary. 

**  The  Rev.  Carlos  Von  Bulow,  who  in  1825  was  ap- 
pointed an  agent  of  the  Continental  Society  for  diffusing 
religious  knowledge  on  the  Continent  of  Europe,  has  just 
returned  from  Norway,  where  he  has  been  laboring  to 
promote  this  object  during  the  past  year. 

The  representation  which  he  gives  of  the  state  of  re- 
ligion in  those  northern  parts  of  Europe,  although  on  the 
one  hand  truly  deplorable,  is  on  the  other  very  encour- 
aging, and  claims  the  sympathy,  prayers,  and  assistance 
of  British  Christians.  As  his  journal  is  to  be  communi- 
cated to  the  public  through  the  medium  of  the  Sailor^s 
Magazine,  all  who  feel  interested  in  promoting  the  king- 
dom of  God,  are  referred  to  that  source  of  information. 
The  plan  originally  arranged  for  Mr.  Von  Bulow,  was, 
that  he  should  be  furnished  with  a  vessel  of  about  thirty 
tons  register,  in  which  he  could  have  embarked  with  the 
scriptures  and  tracts  in  the  several  languages  of  Europe 
— wherewith  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  and 
Religious  Tract  Society,  had  supplied  him ;  but  as  the 
necessary  means  of  fitting  out  and  navigating  the  vessel 
fell  short,  through  the  embarrassments  of  the  times,  he 
was  compelled  to  content  himself  with  a  decked  boat, 
of  five  or  six  tons  burthen,  in  which  he  sailed  from  port 
to  port,  and  from  island  to  island,  beginning  at  Chris- 
tiansand  and  cruising  as  far  as  Drontheim — having  ap- 
proached latitude  64°.  On  this  voyage  to  the  north  and 
back  again,  he  visited  the  inhabitants  every  where,  as 


APPENDIX. 


169 


;ratify- 
s  now 

6f  use 

exten- 
5  com- 
i  battle 
.  The 
■y  cbar- 
i  more 
a  story 
ure  the 
s  never 
hristlan 

was  ap- 
liifusing 
has  just 
oring  to 

te  of  re- 
1  on  the 
encour- 
isistance 
>m!nuni- 
Sailor's 
he  king- 
rmation. 
►w,  was, 
it  thirty 
with  the 
Europe 
ety,  and 
as  the 
le  vessel 
mes,  he 
d  boat, 
lorn  port 
Chris- 
nng  ap- 
kth  and 
lere,  as 


well  as  the  vessels  of  the  several  nations  in  the  ports, 
preaching  the  gospel  and  distributing  scriptures  and 
tracts :  this  he  has  done  at  sixty  different  places,  to  Nor- 
wegian congregations  of  from  twenty  to  four^hundred 
persons,  five  times  in  English,  and  twice  in  German  ves- 
sels. He  could  have  preached  much  more  frequently  to 
mariners,  had  he  been  provided  with  a  vessel  capable  of 
assembling  them.  The  boat  which  he  has  navigated 
hitherto  is  manifestly  unfit  for  this  purpose,  or  for  expo- 
sure to  the  hazards  of  coasting  those  shores. — His  con- 
viction is,  that  only  the  especial  protection  of  God  has 
preserved  him  hitherto. 

The  destitution  of  the  scriptures  and  of  religious  in- 
struction in  the  regions  already  visited  \fy  Mr.  Von  Bu- 
low,  is  great,  and  the  wants  of  the  population  inhabiting 
the  islands  and  coasts  from  64*^  to  71°,  are  still  greater. 
If  he  can  be  provided  with  a  proper  vessel  of  thirty  to 
forty  tons  raster,  and  funds  to  meet  the  expenses  of 
navigating  her,  he  is  ready  to  devote  himself  to  this  ar- 
duous mission.  The  cost  of  sueh  a  vessel  is  estimated  at 
£200,  and  the  annual  expense  £130  to  £150  per  annum, 
"  The  committee  of  the  Continental  Society,  judging 
that  this  n^ission  does  not  come  within  the  sphere  pre- 
scribed to  them  by  their  regulations,  have  intimated  to 
Mr.  Von  Bulow  that  they  do  not  feel  justified  in  laying 
out  their  funds  upon  it,  except  to  a  limited  extent.  He 
has  therefore  now  to  appeal  to  the  friends  of  seamen, 
and  to  the  various  Bethel  Unions,  for  aid  in  promoting  the 
glory  of  God  and  salvation  of  fishermen  and  sailors,  in 
these  neglected  regions.  To  forward  his  views,  a  sub- 
committee has  been  appointed  in  Hull.  On  behalf  of 
Mr.  Von  Bulow  they  entreat  your  prayers,  influence,  and 
exertions  to  procure  subscriptions  and  donations,  which 
they  request  that  you  would  kindly  transmit  to  their 
treasurer,  John  Clay,  Esq.  Swedish  Consul  at  this  port, 
as  early  as  possible,  as  the  season  for  the  recommence- 
ment of  Mr.  Von  Bulow 's  labors  is  near  at  hand.  ,  :. 
Signed,  -,  James  Bowden, 
,  John  Sadler, 
Thomas  Sykes, 
Hull,  March,  1B27,  Secretaries,'*^ 


160 


APPENDIX. 


**  The  Port  of  London  Society  has  presented  the  Rev. 
C.  Von  Bulow  with  a  Bethel  Flag,  which  has  already 
^aved  Ti  om  his  little  bark,  and  other  vessels  in  various 

Sorts  of  Norway.  The  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society 
ave  likewise  made  him  a  new  grant  of  one  thousand 
New  Testaments ;  and  the  Religious  Tract  Society  has 
engaged  to  furnish  him  with  a  sufficient  number  of  tracts/* 


The  following  circular,  addressed  to  Mr.  Eastbum, 
contains  some  valuable  su^estions  in  regard  to  sean>en, 
and  especially  in  relation  to  the  establishment  of  good 
boarding-houses,  which  is  deserving  of  the  attention  of 
every  seamans*  friend. , 

Charleston,  S,  C.  Jarmary^  i623, 
**  The  Charleston  Bethel  Union,  to  all  Bethel  Unions, 
Port  Societies,  and  Ship-Masters,  send  greeting: — 

Brethren  and  Friends, 
'  Thou^  an  infant  institution,  we  hope  we  shall  be  par- 
doned for  the  liberty  we  are  taking,  in  addressing  those 
who  are  greatly  our  superiors  in  knowledge  and  expe- 
rience, when  we  assure  them,  that  our  object  is  not  to 
teach  them  wisdom,  but  to  soticit  their  assistance. 

In  exploring  the  field  of  our  labors,  for  the  purpose  of 
ascertaining  what  is  to  be  done,  and  how  it  is  to  be  ac- 
complished, we  have  endeavored  not  only  to  make  such 
personal  observations  as  jcircumstances  would  permit, 
but  also  to  avail  ourselves  of  the  knowledge  which  ship- 
masters have  acquired  from  experience.  To  facilitate  an 
acquaintance  with  the  feelings  and  habits  of  seamen,  we 
have  conversed  with  masters  individually,  and  have  also 
adopted  the  plan  of  giving  a  general  invitation,  as  often 
as  it  shall  be  deemed  expedient,  to  those  in  port,  to  meet 
a  committee  from  our  body  on  board  some  ship,  for  the 

fmrpose  of  holding  a  free  discussion  upon  any  topic  re- 
ating  to  the  moral  and  religious  improvement  of  seamen. 
The  result  of  our  investigation  has  been  to  establish  in 
our  minds  a  firm  conviction,  that  all  the  deficiencies 
which  are  found  in  the  character  of  seamen,  beyond 
what  are  daily  exhibited  in  other  classes  of  the  comma- 


APPENDIX. 


161 


nity,  are  owing  to  their  want  of  the  same  means  and  the 
same  motives. 

As  to  the  means  of  their  religious  instruction  in  this 
place,  we  hope  that  in  future  they  will  be  constant  But 
as  a  hand-maid  to  the  truths  of  the  gospel,  some  other 
motire  seems  to  be  necessary  to  encourage  sailors  to  aim 
at  a  higher  elevation  of  character — to  stimulate  them  to 
strive  ror  that  good  name  which  is  rather  to  be  chosen 
than  great  riches. 

To  other  men  this  motive  is  furnished  by  the  common 
circumstances  of  thdr  situation.  Placed  in  the  midst  of 
their  acquaintances,  and  in  the  bosom  of  their  family, 
their  reputation,  their  livelihood,  and  even  their  daily 
comfort,  depend  upon  their  maintaining  a  regular  ani 
decent  deportment.  But  the  sailor  is  often  far  removed 
from  the  watchful  eye  of  kindred  affection,  and  hh  char- 
acter and  conduct  wholly  unknown  to  any  individual  of 
his  former  acquaintance.  If  then  he  can  be  as  readily 
employed  and  obtain  as  much  wages,  while  rioting  in  th« 
paths  of  dissipation,  and  revelling  in  the  haunts  of  sin, 
as  in  the  pursuit  of  any  other  course,  what  motive,  un- 
less he  possesses  moral  {Mrinciple,  will  draw  him  away 
from  the  jaws  of  the  destroyer,  and  induce  him  to  aim  at 
what  is  virtuous  and  praiseworthy  ? 

With  a  view  of  furnishing  the  motives  most  likely  to 
operate  in  the  case,  ^  ship-masters  have  informed  us,  that 
in  some  ports  in  Europe  a  register  office  has  been  estab- 
lished for  the  puipose  of  recording  the  names  of  such 
sailors  as  should  be  able  to  obtain  from  the  last  master 
with  whom  they  sailed,  a  certificate  of  their  correct 
habits  and  faithful  services,  and  that  when  masters  ship 
sailors,  they  apply  to  this  office  and  give  such  men  a  de- 
cided preference.^  That  such  an  institution  may  have  the 
desired  effect,  it  should  be  distinctly  understood,  that  in 
connexion  with  it,  there  must  be  good  boarding-houses, 
where  the  means  of  rational  entertainment  and  solid  im- 
provement may  be  enjoyed — where  no  imposition  shall 
be  practised — where  the  sailor  of  every  clime  shall  find 
his  friends  and  his  home ;  and  also,  that  those,  who  apply 
at  the  office,  must  uniformly  be  recommended  to  those 
houses,  and  that  such  as  do  not  comply  with  their  direc- 


1^3 


^  APPBMinX. 


■r^. 

3 


-H 


tions,  but  take  lodgingii  in  places  not  patronized  by  the 
managers  of  the  institution,  are  to  be  considered  as  for- 
feiting their  certificate,^  and  losing  all  claim  to  employ- 
ment or  protection.  Ship-masters  with  whom  we  have 
consulted,  have  with  one  voice  assured  us,  that  if  institu- 
tions of  this  kind  can  be  generally  established  under 
proper  regulations,  they  will  give  them  their  hearty  sanc- 
tion, and  their  uniform  patronage.  They  also  say  they 
are  decidedly  of  the  opinion,  that  they  would  be  among 
the  best  means  of  improving  the  moral  character  of  sea- 
men, which  have  yet  been  devised,  and  which  are  so 
practicable  in  their  operation.  But,  at  the  same  time, 
they  remind  us,  that  our  exertions  must  be  exceedingly 
embarrassed,  if  we  attempt  such  an  enterprise  alone; 
and  that  the  good  eJQfected  will  be  comparatively  small, 
if  it  is  undertaken  only  in  a  few  other  places.  If  the 
sailor  needs  such  a  motive  in  one  port^  he  nieeds  it  through 
the  world.  If  ihe  master  and  the  owner  find  it  for  their 
happiness  and  interest  to  know  the  character  of  the  men 
they  ship  in  one  port,  it  would  be  equally  for  their  benefit 
to  have  the  advantage  of  the  same  information  in  eveiy 
port  round  the  globe.  In  short,  masters  assure  us  that 
although  disposed  to  make  every  effort  in  their  power, 
they  shall  not  be  able  to  afford  all  the  encouragement  to 
an  in^tution  of  this  kind,  which  we  hope  soon  to  estab- 
lish, that  it  may  deserve,  while  standing  alone.  For 
when  in  other  ports  they  must  be  always  liable  to  ship 
sailors  who  have  no  certificate,  and  leave  those  who  have, 
because  there  is  no  regular  method  of  making  the  dis- 
tinction. And  this,  brethren  and  friends,  is  the  special 
reason  of  our  communication.  Out  minds  have  been 
deeply  impressed  with  the  importance  of  the  object,  and 
we  have  ('  It  ourselves  imperiously  called  upon  by  the 
indicatior':,  of  Providence  to  make  an  effort.  But  sensible 
as  we  are,  that  our  influence  must  be  exceedingly  limited, 
unless  something  of  the  kind  shall  be  attempted  in  other 
pbrts,  we  have  taken  the  liberty  of  addressing  the  friends 
of  seamen  generally,  for  the  purpose  of  soliciting  their 
co-operation.  And  we  trust  we  shall  be  permitted  ear- 
nestly to  entreat  all  bodies  organized  for  their  benefit,  to 
give  the  subject  a  speedy  and  a  careful  examination. 


APPEia>IS. 


163 


time, 
dingljT 
ilone; 
small, 
If  the 
irough 
r  their 
le  men 
benefit 
ereiy 
IS  that 
)Ower, 
lent  to 
estab- 
.    For 
to  ship 
have, 
le  dis- 
pecial 
been 
ct,  and 
)y  the 
ensible 
imited, 
other 
friends 
g  their 
d  ear- 
efit,  to 
nation. 


Woald  it  not  be  eipedient  for  all  such  bodies  to  invite 
either  stated  or  occasional  meetings  of  ship-masters,  in 
which  a  committee  from  the  body  shall  meet  them  and 
discuss  freely  any  subject  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of 
seamen?  And  if  upon  suitable  inrestigation  it  shall  ap- 

Eear  advisable,  to  establish  institutions  of  the  kind  which 
as  been  proposed,  may  we  not  anticipate  the  united  ex- 
ertions of  Marine  Associations,  Ship-Owners  and  Ship- 
Masters,  throughout  the  world  ?  We  feel  assured  there  is 
a  kindr<.d  spirit  glowing  in  the  bosom  of  the  friends  of 
Zion  of  every  nation.  The  unusual  interest  which  has 
of  late  been  excited  in  behalf  of  seamen,  and  the  special 
success  which  has  crowned  the  recent  exertions  for  their 
welfare,  encourage  us  to  indulge  hopes  of  no  ordinary 
kind.  And  when  we  reflect  on  their  number,  the  hardi- 
ness and  enei^gy  of  their  character,  and  their  constant 
intercourse  with  every  part  of  the  globe,  what  may  we 
not  expect  from  them,  should  they  become  Christians, 
towards  evangelizing  the  world  ?  Eveiy  thing  we  do  to 
elevate  their  character  will  have  a  tendency  to  bring 
them  under  the  influence  of  the  gospel. — Shall  we  not 
then  in  obedience  to  the  indications  of  Providence,  sum- 
mon our  energies,  combine  our  exertions,  and  make  one 
eflbrt  corresponding,  at  least  in  some  degree,  with  the 
movements  of  the  day  in  which  we  live,  earnestly  sup- 
plicating that  blessing,  without  which  all  human  endea- 
vors will  be  utterly  fruitless,  and  with  which  the  feeblest 
may  accomplish  wonders. 

With  much  respect. 

We  have  the  honour  to  be. 
Brethren  and  Friends, 
^  Yours  most  afiectionately. 

In  behalf  of  the  Charleston  Bethel  Union. 

Thomas  Napier,  President. 

Joseph  Brown,  Corresponding  Secretary, 


■f 


164 


APPENDIX. 


Among  the  manuscripts  of  Mr.  Eastburn,  were  found 
,B  number  of  narratives  and  anecdotes,  which  were  pre- 
faced  as  follows : — 

**  As  there  are  some  remarkable  things,  which  I  have 
heard  or  knowTi,  and  which  I  have  never  seen  in  print, 
and  finding  my  memory  failing,  I  would  just  write  them, 
that  they  may  not  be  forgotten — as  they  should  be  a 
Warning  to  every  one.* 

**  In  the  congregation  of  Mr.  Ramsey,  near  Cohansey, 
in  Jersey,  there  was  a  young  man  who  had  made  a  pio- 
fession  of  religion,  and  was  thought  well  of  for  some  time ; 
but  associating  with  vain  worldly  company,  he  was  per- 
suaded, on  a  Christmas  night,  to  attend  at  a  jovial  meet- 
ing for  dancing  and  merriment.  And  as  he  was  remarkable 
for  activity,  he  was  persuaded  to  take  his  turn  in  dancing. 
He  accoringly  stepped  out  on  the  floor  with  a  young  wo- 
man for  the  purpose,  but  the  instant  the  violin  began  to 
'I^ay,  he  was  struck  dead.  The  company  thought  he  was 
about  to  show  some  feats  of  his  activity,  whicn  he  had 
formerly  done,  and  waited  to  see  him  spring  to  his  feet ; 
but  when  they  found  he  was  dead,  they  all  fled  and  left 
the  house,  and  their  mirth  was  turned  into  awful  horror 
and  alarm.  The  account  spreading,  and  Mr.  Ramsey 
giving  out  that  he  would  preach  a  sermon  upon  the  oc- 
"casion  on  new-year  day,  many  attended,-  and  were  much 
effected ;  and  this  awful  instance  occasioned  the  begin- 
ning of  a  revival  of  religion  there.    (MS.) 


Mr.  Kirkland,  a  missionary  to  the  Indians,  related  the 
following  account.^  In  a  town  in  New-England  where  he 
had  been,  there  were  two  young  women  who  were  very 
intimate:  one  of  them  became  very  serious;  but  the 
other,  having  an  infidel  father,  who  had  brought  her  up 
in  his  sentiments,  left  her  company,  but  was  shortly  afl;er 
taken  sick.  This  pious  friend  paid  her  a  visit ;  and  upon 
reminding  her  of  the  importance  of  being  prepared  for 

'"in  connexion  with  these  manuscripts,  several  printed  articles 
were  found,  which  Mr.  E.  had  manifestly  selected  and  preserved 
for  the  same  purpose— We  shall  insert  a  few,  distinguishing  the 
manuscripts  with  the  mark  MS. 


APPENDIX. 


165 


death,  she  forhade  her  to  mention  death  in  her  hearing, 
until  she  should  get  well.  Her  friend  expostulated  with 
her,  telling  her,  now  was  the  time,  and  she  knew  not 
that  she  should  recover.  She  then  declared  she  would 
not  hear  her,  and  desired  her  to  withdraw.  Her  physi- 
cian coming  in,  the  sick  one  asked  him  what  he  thought 
of  her  case.  He  told  her  it  was  past  the  power  of  man 
to  help  her.  She  cried  out,  "  O  doctor,  you  must  help 
me."  He  told  her  she  must  apply  to  the  Lord,  for  he 
only  could  help  her.  She  replied,  the  Lord  I  know  will 
not  help  me,  as  I  have  refused  to  seek  or  serve  him  all 
my  life ;  and  she  would  not  hear  any  thing  ahout  death, 
or  any  thing  that  was  good.  The  doctor  withdrew,  and 
her  infidel  father  came  in,  when  she  told  him  that  the 
doctor  had  informed  her  that  she  would  die ;  and  said, 
"  I  now  believe  it,  and  I  must  be  miserable ;  and  now  I 
tell  you,  that  your  principles  have  ruined  me  for  ever : 
and  remember  what  I  now  tell  you,  when  you  see  my 
body  put  in  the  coffin  and  lowered  in  the  grave — ^then 
my  soul  will  be  in  hell," — and  in  dreadful  distress  she 
expired.  This  being  known,  he  said  there  were  not  less 
than  two  hundred  people  awakened  by  this  awful  case. 
(MS.) 

Mr.  Kirkland  also  related  the  case  of  an  officer  in  our 
American  Revolution,  who  had  from  a  child  possessed 
iniidel  principles ;  so  that  when  quite  young,  when  his 
mother,  who  was  a  pious  woman,  would  catechise  him, 
and  ask  him  that  question  in  the  Assembly's  catechism, 
"  How  many  persons  are  there  in  the  godhead  ?"  he 
would  ridicule  the  question,  and  refuse  to  attend  to  her 
instructions.  He  became  very  vain  and  haughty,  and  en- 
tered into  the  army.  Possessing;  much  wit  and  humor, 
he  was  much  admired  by  his  brother  officers,  and  at- 
tained to  the  rank  of  major  in  the  standing  army,  and 
behaved  as  a  resolute  good  officer  until  the  war  was 
over — when  he  returned  to  the  town  where  his  mother 
lived  in  New-England.  ,  At  this  time  there  was  a  revival 
of  religion  there,  which  he  very  much  despised,  and  was 
quite  provoked  to  find  the  young  people  so  attentive  to 
meetings.    He  therefore  set  himself  to  oppose  the  work. 


166 


APPENDIX. 


and  prevailed  with  some  to  join  him  on  sabbath  evenings, 
to  assemble  together  to  mock  the  preaching  of  the  day, 
and  spend  the  rest  of  the  time  in  merriment  He  would 
go  himself  to  hear  preaching,  to  obtain  something  to  ridi- 
cule. But  while  he  was  hstening  for  this  purpose,  the 
Lord  was  pleased  so  to  apply  the  word  to  his  heart,  that 
he  knew  not  how  to  behave.  He  tried  to  overcome  his 
impressions,  and  thought  to  brave  it  out,  by  going  to  his 
company  again  in  the  evening.  But  conscience  made 
him  linger  by  the  way,  until  it  was  late.  The  company 
shouted  at  his  coming,  and  inquired  the  reason  of  his 
delay ;  when  the  impressions  of  the  day  came  powerfully 
to  his  mind  again. — Upon  which  he  cried  out  that  they 
were  all  in  the  way  to  hell,  and  that  he  had  been  the 
wicked  leader,  and  now  gave  a  solemn  warning  and  for- 
sook the  place.  His  distress  became  so  great  that  he 
could  scarce  sleep  or  eat  any,  for  three  days  and  nights.  He 
would  cast  himself  upon  the  floor  at  night,  wrapped  in  a 
blanket,  and  roll  in  anguish,  crying  out  against  himself 
as  the  chief  of  sinners.  .His  mother  finding  his  distress  so 

freat,  began  to  fear  the  enemy  might  tempt  him  to  destroy 
imselA  and  therefore,  unknown  to  him,  would  watch 
him.  Finding  him  rise  suddenly  at  midnight,  and  go  out 
from  the  house,  she  followed  him ;  when  at  some  dis- 
tance, in  a  private  place,  she  perceived  him  on  his  knees, 
and  could  hear  him  with  rapturous  joy  praising  the  Lord 
for  the  unspeakable  gift  of  nis  Son,  to  be  a  Saviour  (or 
such  poor  lost  sinners  as  he  was,  and  enabling  him  to  be- 
lieve in  him ;  and  from  that  time  he  took  an  active  part 
in  promoting  what  he  had  before  been  trying  to  hinder. 


Instances  of  Infidelity^  and  marks  of  Divine  displeasure. 

In  the  city  of  Boston,  a  company  of  infidels  met  for 
the  purpose  of  ridiculing  religion;  and  after  spending 
part  of  the  night  in  a  profane  manner,  three  of  them  had 
to  pass  over  the  neck,  and  go  some  distance  on  a  road, 
on  the  side  of  which  was  a  burying  ground.  One  of  them 
observed  that  they  had  been  disavowing  any  belief  of  a 
future  state,  or  resurrection  of  the  dead,  and  asked  who 


APPENDIX. 


1G7 


Would  CO  over  the  wall  and  stand  upon  d  tomb-stone, 
and  calf  the  dead  to  come  fb  judgment ;  u^on  which  one 
offered  to  do  so,  and  immediately  stood  up  and  called 
aloud,  **  Arise  ye  dead  and  come  to  judgment." — A  poor 
deranged  woman,  who  often  spent  her  nights  among  the 
tombs,  at  that  time  lay  by  the  side  of  the  one  on  which 
he  stood,  and  hearing  him  call,  instantly  sprang  up  and 
cried, ^*  I  am  coming."  This  so  dreadfully  affriehted  the 
poor  infidel,  that  he  fell  into  fits,  and  never  auerwards 
recovered  until  he  died.  His  companions  were  also 
dreadfully  alarmed  and  confounded.    (MS.) 

In  the  year  1 799,  in  the  State  of  New-York,  a  similar 
company  assembled  for  the  same  purpose,  and  spent  the 
evening  in  ridiculing  every  thing  serious  and  sacred.  The 
servants  who  attended  them  declared  that  they  made  a 
mock  sacrament,  and  gave  the  bread  to  the  dogs,  saying 
it  was  fit  for  such  animals.  After  they  had  broken  up, 
the  president  of  the  club,  who  was  a  physician,  retired 
to  his  lodging,  and  told  his  landlady  he  wished  to  go  to 
bed ;  but  said  it  was  so  damnM  hot  he  did  not  expect  to 
sleep.  Not  long  after,  the  woman  heard  him  groaning 
dreadfully,  and  went  to  know  what  was  the  cause.  >  She 
found  the  agonies  of  death  had  come  to  call  him  to  an- 
swer for  his  conduct,  and  before  morning  he  expired. 
(MS.)      - 

In  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  a  like  company  associated 
themselves  together  every  Sabbath,  at  a  tavern,  back  of 
the  city:  and  when  a  certain  number  were  collected, 
they  chose  their  officers, — in  doing  which  the  rule  was, 
he  should  be  president  who  had  never  prayed ;  he  should 
be  vice-president  who  had  never  gone  to  church ;  and 
he  should  be  secretary  who  had  never  read  the  scrip- 
tures. They  then  proceeded  to  business,  which  was  to 
make  a  mock  at  every  thing  serious  and  sacred — at  all 
ministers,  and  professors  of  religion-^— and  they  continued 
in  this  way  for  some  time.  At  one  of  the  anniversary  days 
of  our  American  Independence,  one  of  them  was  taken 
very  sick,  and  not  long  afler  was  seized  with  great  horror 
of  mind.   He  sent  for  the  person  who  writes  this  account 

P2 


168 


AI^PENDIX. 


^] 


at  a  late  hour  of  the  night,  and  said  to  him,  you  may 
think  it  strange  that  I  have  sent  for  you  at  such  a  time 
as  this,  but  I  am  so  tormented  I  could  not  refrain.  I 
find  I  am  a  wretched  ruined  sinner,  a  God-provoking, 
blasphemous,  wicked  wretch :  you  visited  my  wi|e  in  her 
dying  hours,  and  I  have  no  doubt  but  she  is  gone  to 
heaven ;  but  I  am  as  sure,  that  in  a  little  time  I  shall  be 
in  hell.  She  often  entreated  me  to  go  with  her  to  a  place 
of  worship,  when  I  told  her  to  go  among  the  fools,  but 
that  I  had  better  company,  which  consisted  of  infidels 
like  myself.  After  expressing  his  abhorrence  of  his 
former  conduct  and  great  distress,  he  was  told  the  Lord 
Jesus  came  to  save  sinners,  even  the  chief.    This  ap- 

r eared  to  increase  his  agony.  "  Oh !  monster  that  I  am ! 
have  abused  his  name  in  a  filthy  manner,  by  calling 
him  what  is  too  vile  to  be  repeated.  I  cannot  expect 
any  mercy;  on  his  account."  Nor  could  any  thing  that 
was  mentioned,  afford  the  least  relief.  He  was  visited 
twice  afterward,  by  the  same  person ;  when  he  appeared 
more  composed,  but  did  not  express  any  hope  concerning 
himself;  and  shortly  after  the  last  visit,  he  expired. 

N.  B.  He  requested  a  hymn  might  be  sung,  and  being 
asked  what  one,  he  said,  any  good  one  the  person  pleased. 
The  51st  Psalm  was  then  sung, 

"  Show  pity  Lord,  O  Lord  forgire,"— &c. 

Lest  I  might  be  called  upon  to  qualify  to  the  above, 
although  I  have  not  publicly  mentioned  his  name,  I  now 
record  it  to  be  Benjamin  Merrit,  by  trade  a  tailor,  a 
ready  speaker.  His  wife^s  maiden  name  was  Britt,  a 
member  of  Arch-street  church.     (MS.)  '  : ' ; 


The  following  account  is  taken  from  the  Western  Star, 
a  Washington  and  Georgetown  newspaper,  dated  Octo- 
ber 28th,  1801,  :-:-r 

Not  many  years  ago  several  young  men  in  a  certain 
part  of  this  country,  who  had  for  some  time  been  asso- 
ciated together  in  Hterary  pursuits,  mutually  agreed 
to  give  their  serious  attention  to  re?-rrious  topics,  and 
freely  communicate   their  sentiments    to  each  other. 


AAer 

one  o 

his  dii 

ence  < 

ed,  an 

uouslj 

treatci 

with  i 

zeal  ir 

able,  t 

in  thei 

in  the  i 

they  cj 

the  un] 

them  t] 

and  aci 

ciples, 

and  vi< 

wicked 

the  hai 

commei 

of  deat 

indescri 

and  ine 

fused  b( 

time,  ea 

when  tl 

soothing 

of  the  li 

manner; 

"You 

heaven's 

I  now  h 

his  displc 

than  my 

no  state 

experien 

and  kno\ 

s^d  dest 

these  sen 


APPENDIX. 


169 


Star, 
Octo- 

lertain 

asso- 

ligreed 

8,  and 

[other. 


After  proceeding  a  while  in  conformity  to  this  agreement, 
one  of  them  at  last  avowed  infidel  principles ;  declaring 
his  disbelief,  not  only  of  the  bibles  but  even  of  the  exist- 
ence of  God.  His  virtuous  companions,  though  astonish- 
ed, and  exceedingly  shocked,  by  this  declaration,  assid- 
uously endeavored  to  convince  and  reclaim  him ;  but  he 
treated  their  kind  endeavors  with  scorn,  upbraided  them 
with  superstitious  weaknesses,  and  manifested  a  furious 
zeal  in  favor  of  infidelity.  Thus  finding  him  irreclaim- 
able, they  withdrew  from  his  society,  and,  still  persisting 
in  their  serious  inquiries,  grew  more  and  more  confirmed 
in  the  all-important  truth  of  religion,  according  to  which 
they  carefiilly  regulated  their  lives.  On  the  other  hand, 
the  unhappy  youth,  who  had  left  their  company,  made 
them  the  subject  of  his  daily  derision,  and  profane  scofis ; 
and  acting  accordingly  to  the  tendency  of  his  infidel  prin- 
ciples, he  eagerly  plunged  into  the  vortex  of  dissipation 
and  vice,  and  seemingly  gloried  ia  being  unmeasurably 
wicked ;  but  his  career  was  short.  Suddenly  struck  by 
the  hand  of  God,  with  a  sickness,  which,  in  its  very 
commencement,  appeared  evidently  to  be  the  harbinger 
of  death,  his  mind  was  at  the  same  time  stricken  With 
indescribable  horror.  Positively  declaring  he  should  die, 
and  inevitably  sink  to  the  regions  of  woe,  he  utterly  re- 
fused both  medicine  and  consolation ;  but,  at  the  same 
time,  earnestly  requested  to  see  his  former  companions : 
when  they  had  arrived,  they  kindly  began  to  attempt 
soothing  his  distress ;  but  he  instantly  forbade  any  efforts 
of  the  kind,  and  then  addressed  them  in  the  following 
manner: — 

"  You  behold  me,  (said  he,)  an  awful  monument  of 
heaven's  justice  !  I  lately  told  you  that  there  was  no  God. 
1  now  know  that  there  is  a  God — I  feel  the  weight  of 
his  displeasure,  which  is  a  thousand  times  more  intolerable 
than  my  pain  of  body.  I  lately  told  you  that  there  was 
no  state  of  punishment  for  the  wicked — I  now  awfully 
experience  the  contrary — I  feel  hell  in  my  own  breast, 
and  know  that  I  am  now  sinking  into  that  abyss  of  woe 
and  destruction!"  Almost  immediately  after  uttering 
these  sentiments,  he  expired ;  and  the  unutterable  horrors 


170 


APPENDIX. 


of  his  departing  spirit,  marked  his  lifeless  corpse  with 
such  a  peculiar  and  frightful  ghastliness,  as  made  the  be- 
holders  ttemble. 


}: 


I-' 

II      ' 


I^^om  the  Long  Island  Patriot, 

AWFUL  WARNING! 

r  Sortie  few  months  ago,  during  the  performance  of  di- 
vine service  on  board  the  receiving-ship  at  this  place,  one 
of  the  men  contrived  to  slip  out  of  the  congregation, 
beckoned  to  one  of  his  shipmates,  and  went  below.  He 
did  not,  however,  escape  unobserved ;  an  officer  followed 
him  on  tip-toe,  and  the  man,  presuming  that  it  was  his 
comrade,  said,  in  an  under-voice,  "  come,  let  us  have  a 
snug  game  at  cards."  When  the  service  was  over,  the 
culprit  was  summoned  by  the  commanding  officer,  who 
severely  reprimanded  him  before  the  assembled  crew, 
and  dismissed  him  with  these  words :  "  How  do  you  know 
but  this  may  be  the  last  opportunity  you  will  have  of 
hearing  a  sermon  ?"  The  next  morning  he  fell  from  the 
mast-head^  and  was  picked  up  a  corpse  ! 

Three  Sabbaths  ago,  during  divine  service  in  the  same 
place,  a  man  behaved  with  so  little  decorum,  that  an 
officer  was  sent  to  check  him.  After  service,  the  offender 
was  publicly  rebuked — was  reminded  of  the  preceding 
anecdote,  and  dismissed  with  this  remark :  "  Who  can 
tell  but  this  may  be  your  fate  to-morrow?"  The  next 
mornings  he  was  ordered  to  perform  some  duty  aloft,/e// 
from,  the  mast-head^  and  was  picked  up  a  corpse  [  The 
narrative  requires  no  "omment,  '     ^^** 

Brooklyn,  2d  July,  1821. 


A  copy  of  a  representation  of  John  Williams'* s  life, 

John  Williams,  a  colored  man,  believed  to  be  of  an 
Indian  extract,  appeared  to  have  been  afflicted  with  the 
rheumatism  twenty  years  or  upwards.  He  served  about 
four  years  as  an  apprentice  with  Robert  Eastburn  of 
New-Brunswick,  New-Jersey ;  and  during  that  time,  and 
before,  he  was  in  a  weak  state  of  body.     But  his  com- 


APPENDIX. 


171 


plaints  increased,  so  that  for  about  twelve  years  befdre  his 
death,  he  appeared  unable  to  help  himself  in  bed.  He 
possessed  good  natural  understanding,  for  one  in  his  con- 
dition. He  could  read  well,  and  appeared  at  times  to 
possess  some  serious  reflections  of  mind,  but  continued 
rather  impenitent ;  had  an  undue  fondness  for  spiritous 
liquors ;  and  was  disposed  to  use  profane  language.  But 
by  means  of  some  instrumental  help,  attended  by  divine 
mercy,  he  came  under  deep  convictions,  and  was  nearly, 
if  not  entirely,  in  a  state  of  despair.  This  continued,  as 
is  believed,  for  some  months ;  after  which  time,  light 
arose  on  his  mind,  and  he  rejoiced  greatly,  giving  glory 
to  the  Most  High.  And  it  is  believed  that  the  greatest 
part  of  his  time,  until  his  death,  his  mind  was  exercised 
in  devotion,  prayer,  and  praise.  1  visited  liim  at  sundry 
times,  as  opportunity  offered,  and  to  the  best  of  my  re- 
membrance, he  appeared  in  nearly  the  same  exercise  of 
mind.  One  evening  in  particular,  I  appointed  to  go  and 
stay  with  him  at  his  dwelling  all  the  night :  and  when  I 
came  to  the  door,  I  heard  him  in  the  act  of  praise.  I 
went  in  and  saw  him ;  he  appeared  pleased,  and  I  en- 
joyed a  pleasing  conversation  with  him,  and  when  I  re- 
tired to  rest,  I  awoke  at  different  times  in  the  night,  and 
heard  him  in  acts  of  prayer  or  praise.  What  was  singu- 
larly remarkable,  and  perhaps  beyond  any  thing  known 
or  scarcely  heard  of,  is,  that  for  some  years  before  his 
death,  his  jaws  were  set,  and  his  whole  body  stiff,  with- 
out any  capacity  to  move.  His  hands  were  greatly  de- 
formea,  and  laid  across  his  body ;  his  neck  was  also  stiff. 
He  lay  with  some  support  under  his  shoulders,  but  could 
not  bear  any  thing  to  rest  his  head  on.  He  appeared  to 
possess  but  little  hfe,  except  in  his  tongue  and  one  eys. 
He  had  a  book  placed  before  him  by  his  request,  and  was 
supported  in  such  a  position  that  he  could  look  into  it; 
and  he  learned  the  contents  in  a  remarkable  manner,  so 
that  he  repeated  and  sang  them  over,  in  a  clear  and  dis- 
tinct voice,  and  it  appeared  as  an  act  of  solemn  praise. 
It  will  also  appear  wonderful,  that  about  the  time  of  his 
jaws  being  set,  two  of  his  teeth  came  out,  whereby  he 
was  enabled  to  receiye  nourishment,  by  means  of  its 


'4^ 


na 


APPENDIX. 


being  poured  into  his  mouth  from  a  teapot,  or  put  other- 
ways  through  this  vacancy.  He  could  move  his  tongue 
and  one  eye,  but  otherways  was  motionless.     (MS.) 


I 


m 


The  fol]o\;ring  affecting  story  of  a  Poor  Drummer  and 
his  Boy,  is  extracted  from  a  volume  of  Newton's  Letters, 
and  it  is  hoped  will  prove  edifying  to  the  reader. 

When  on  a  preaching  tour  with  a  friend,  we  met  with 
i^  pious  drummer  belonging  to  a  regiment  quartered  in  a 
town  which  we  visited.  We  invited  him  to  sup  with  us 
in  the  inn.  After  supper,  we  requested  him  to  favor  us 
with  his  history,  which  he  did  with  great  modesty  and 
seriousness  in  the  following  words,  which  are  as  nearly 
his  own  as  I  can  recollect.  I  have  been  (said  he,)  twenty- 
four  years' in  the  army  and  navy  together.  Till  four  years 
ago  I  was  the  vv4ckedest  wretch  in  either.  Our  regiment 
.  was  then  at  Hulk  I  was  seized  with  an  unaccountable 
melancholy :  it  was  not  about  religion.  I  do  not  know 
what  it  was,  but  I  was  miserable.  One  evening,  as  I 
was  walking  on  the  common,  very  unhappy,  I  observed 
a  church  lighted  up,  which  convinced  me  there  was  ser- 
mon in  it,  but  I  durst  not  go  lest  my  comrades  should 
laugh  at  me,  for  going  to  sermon  on  a  week  day.  I  knelt 
upon  the  common  and  prayed  to  God  to  give  me  courage 
to  go  to  church.  When  1  rose  I  went  directly  to  church. 
•  The  minister  was  preaching  upon  believing  on  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  Immediately  when  I  was  seated,  the  min- 
ister said,  "  If  it  could  be  of  the  smallest  service  to  the 
meanest  person  present,  I  would  come  down  from  the 
pulpit,  and  on  my  bended  knees  beseech  that  person  to 
believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  Thought  I,  this  must 
be  a  mighty  matter  surely,  that  a  gentleman  would  come 
down  from  the  pulpit,  and  on  his  bended  knees  beseech 
a  poor  drummer  to  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
That,  with  the  remainder  of  his  sermon,  made  a  deep  im- 
pression on  my  mind.  I  went  home  to  my  wife :  she  met 
me  at  the  door.  I  said  to  her,  Jane,  we  are  all  wrong, 
we  are  living  like  beasts,  we  know  nothing  about  believ- 
ing in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Poor  thing !  she  trembled, 
for  she  thought  I  was  gone  mad  ;  but,  said  I,  Jane,  I  am 


■..  if 


APPENDIX. 


173 


^  not  iKiad,  but  you  and  I  are  going  to  destruction.  I  un- 
derstand the  bible  will  tell  us  every  thing ;  but  we  have 
not  a  bible,  and  though  we  had,  we  cannot  read  it.  O, 
said  she,  we  can  buy  a  bible,  and  our  little  boy,  who  is 
only  twelve  miles  off,  can  read  it  to  us.  Accordingly  we 
sent  for  our  boy,  and  also  bought  a  bible.  When  he 
came  home,  we  desired  him  to  begin  at  the  first  pa^e  and 
read  forward  to  the  end  of  the  book.  We  gave  hmi  al- 
ways two  suppers  to  keep  him  from  sleep,  for  he  got 
drowsy  with  reading.  I  used  to  rise  very  early  in  me 
morning  to  hear  more  of  tho^bible ;  but  I  would  say,  it  is 
cruel  to  awake  my  boy  so  early,  and  would  give  him 
another  hour  of  sleep  ;  then  he  arose  and  began  to  read 
where  he  had  stopped  the  preceding  night,  and  we  both 
sat  listening  to  our  boy  reading  the  book.  He  read  slow, 
for  he  had  many  hard  words  to  spell.  At  length  God 
opened  my  poor  blind  eyes  to  see  that  Jesus  Christ  was 
the  very  Saviour  I  stood  in  need  of.  O  how  happy  I  was  I 
Our  boy  read  onward,  and  the  Lord  was  jpleased  to  open 
the  poor  blind  eyes  of  my  wife,  so  that  she  saw  in  Jesus 
Christ  just  what  I  saw.  Now  we  became  one  of  the 
happiest  families  in  all  Hull. 

I  had  put  myself  to  school  that  I  might  learn  to  read, 
and  in  a  few  months  I  was  able  to  read  nearly  as  well  as 
my  little  boy.  I  determined  that  my  house  should  be  a 
house  of  prayer,  and  my  door  open  to  all  who  should 
choose  to  come.  I  told  my  comrades  I  had  now  begun 
to  pray  to  God,  and  read  his  word  every  morning  and 
evening ;  and  I  should  be  glad  of  their  company  at  these 
times.  Several  attended  to  make  sport.  When  I  could 
not  make  out  a  long  word,  then  they  all  laughed,  but  I 
thought  now,  a  few  months  ago  I  would  have  laughed  at 
these  things  as  well  as  they,  but  if  God  opens  their  eyes 
as  he  has  mine,  they  will  laugh  no  more  at  these  things — 
so  I  read  on  as  well  as  I  was  able.  By  and  by  some  of 
them  became  very  serious,  but  drink  and  wicked  com- 
pany did  them  much  injury.  One  of  them  however  re- 
mains very  stedfast  to  this  day. 


174 


APPENDIX., 


A  common  hackney-coachman  had  a  most  remarkable 
dream  not  long  since,  which  is  as  follows : — He  dreamed, 
one  Saturday  evening,  that  he  was  out  with  his  coach, 
plying  for  a  iair ;  and,  being  engaged,  had  directions  given 
him  where  to  drive.  As  he  was  carrying  his  passengers, 
he  thought  he  was  called  to  ascend  an  exceeding  steep 
hill ;  and  when  he  reached  the  summit,  he  found  the  de- 
clivity of  the  hill  still  more  troublesome.  However,  with 
great  difficulty  he  cot  down ;  and,  as  he  proceeded,  he 
arrived  at  a  pair  of  great  iron  gates,  wide  open.  When 
he  had  passed  them,  he  found  himself  in  an  uncommonly 
dark  and  gloomy  place,  in  which  were  vast  crowds  of 
people  dressed  in  mourning ;  all  of  whom,  by  their  coun- 
tenances, seemed  to  be  in  a  very  pensive  frame  of  mind. 
Hereupon  he  stopped,  and  asked  one  of  the  persons  what 
place  tha^  was  ?  He  answered,  "  It  was  hell."  "  Hell !" 
said  the  coachman,  "  I  have  had  more  frightful  ideas  of 
hell  than  this  appears  to  be :  if  this  be  hell,  I  shall  not 
be  under  such  fearl^l  apprehensions  of  hell  as  formerly." 
Upon  this  the  person  mformed  him, "  that  hell  was  not 
so  much  outward,  as  it  was  inward ;"  and,  as  a  proof  of 
this,  he  opened  his  waistcoat,  and  showed  him  his  heart, 
which  was  in  a  flame  of  fire.  This  shocked  the  coach- 
man to  a  great  degree :  but  the  person  proceeded  to  in- 
form him, "  that  his  case  was  not  singularly  shocking,  for 
all  whom  he  then  saw  were  in  the  same  condition ;"  and 
added,  "if  he  would  accompany  him,  he  should  see 
worse  than  that." 

This  the  coachman  refused,  and,  in  great  confusion 
and  consternation,  attempted  to  return.  But,  to  his  su^ 
prise,  the  person,  in  conjunction  with  others,  caught  hold 
of  him,  and  refused  to  let  him  go,  except  he  would 
promise  to  come  again.  After  he  bad  used  every  effort 
to  free  himself,  to  no  effect,  he  at  last  promised, "  If  they 
would  let  him  go,  he  would  certainly  come  again  at 
twelve  o'clock."     Upon  this  condition  they  let  him  de- 

Eart,  and  he  drove  off  in  haste.  When  he  was  got  out, 
e  awoke  in  great  horrors  of  mind.  He  then  awoke  his 
wife,  and  related  the  whole  to  her ;  but  she  treated  it 
with  ridicule,  and  soon  went  to  sleep  again.  But  the 
poor  man  slept  no  more :  and  in  the  morning  said,  "  he 


-J^-.  -^ 


Al>PENDnt. 

f',  *       .      •     .      •       .  .  - 

was  afraid  he  shouM  die,  and  go  td  hell;'*' and  desired 
his  wife  to  seek  for  some  man  to  go  out  with  the  coach 
that  day; for  he  could  not;  and  refused  to  eat  or  drink 
any  thing.  Hereupon  his  wife  took  fire,  and  used  him 
vyith  rough  lan^age;  and  went  among  her  acquaintance^ 
ridiculing  hid  fancy,  and  said  her  husband  was  going  to 
hell  at  twelve  o'clock.  This  passed  on,  and  the  man  got 
worse  in  his  mind,  till  the  clock  struck  twelve ;  when  hia^ 
wife  damned  him,  and  said,  "  It  is  twelve  o'clock',  and 
you  are  not  yet  gone  to  hell."  With  that  he  replied, 
"  Hold  your  tongue,  for  I  am  going;"  and  immediately 
fell  down  dead.  This  the  person  related  to  the  minister^ 
the  Rev.  Mr.  W.  who  communicafed  it  to  me  as  certain  ; 
and  subjoined  that  the  wife  was  then  almost  in  a  state  of 
distraction.  ' :/     /  * -/   . 


^.,.,^-,K. 


Wisdom's  ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness,  and  all  her 
paths  are  paths  of  peace.  This  is  only  truly  known  by 
those  who  have  their  minds  enlightened  by  the  teaching 
of  the  Holy  blessed  Spirit  of  the  Lord.  One  instance, 
among  the  cloud  of  witnesses,  is  that  of  a  young  woman, 
well  educated,  of  sprightly  talents,  the  life  of  young  com- 
pany, an  excellent  singer,  her  company  earnestly  sought 
for  by  the  gay  and  thoughtless ;  but  by  attending  a  religious 
meeting,  she  was  led  to  see  that  her  course  of  life  Would 
lead  to  everlasting  sorrow.  So  powerful  was  the  im- 
pression, that  she  trembled ;  aiiu  i"  om  that  time  she  be- 
gan to  seek  a  refuge  for  her  soul.  At  another  meeting, 
her  mind  was  much  relieved,  by  these  words,  "  they  that 
sow  in  teal's  shall  reap  in  joy."  Some  time  after,  while 
alone,  meditating;  upon  divine  things,  her  joy  was  as  great  as 
her  human  frame  could  support.  At  this  time  several  of 
hop  young  friends  came  to  visit  her,  and  seeing  her  in  such 
a  wonderful  frame  of  mind,  inquired  if  she  had  lost  her 
reason.  She  meekly  replied,  that  she  never  possessed  it 
more  than  at  present ;  but  that  her  mind  was  turned  from 
vanity  to  real  and  substantial  happiness  :  and  she  said  she 
could  declare,  that  if  she  could  unite  all  the  happiness  she 
ever  enjoyed,  in  all  the  company  she  ever  attended,  one 

Q 


176 


APPENDIX. 


hour  of  her  present  joy  would  far  surpass  diem  all.  And 
now,  said,  she,  I  do  not  want  to  part  with  you,  although 
I  cannot  join  you  in  our  former  vain  amusements.  I  do 
entreat  you  to  join  me,  in  walking  the  narrow  road  that 
leads  to  happiness.  At  first  they  tried  to  banish  every 
serious  thought*  and  made  light  of  all  she  could  say  to 
them.  But  her  afiectionate  address  was  so  powerfully  im- 
pressed upon  some  of  them,  that  after  senous  reflection, 
they  united  with  her  and  became  happy  companions.  She 
made  rapid  advances  in  divine  things,  and  was  fast  pre- 
paring  for  higher  enjoyments  in  a  better  world ;  and  did 
shortly  after  meet  death  with  sweet  composure,  without 
a  sting,  and  saying,  "  My  heavenly  Father,  receive  thy 
poor  child  home.  O  precious  Saviour,  into  thy  hands  I 
commit  my  spirit !"  And  thus  without  the  least  symptom 
of  uneasiness,  she  left  a  world  of  sorrow,  to  inherit  eter- 
nal joy.     (MS.) 


v" 


^  -.     O' 


■%'■ 
J 


.    ^  '• 


VV. 


.      -  /  •   * 


"■V    i 


,!*  I 


BASTBUBXTfl  WXXiL 


[It  would  be  great  injustice  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  Eastbum,  not 
to  record  his  pious  concern  for  the  spiritual  interests  of  sea- 
men, even  after  his  decease :  and  it  is  believed  there  can  be 
■noL  better  memorial  of  this  instance  of  his  Christian  charity, 
than  to  publish  iiis  wffl;  in  which  it  will  be  perceived,  that  he 
devoted  the  far  larger  part  Of  his  property,  to  make  permanent 
provision  for  a  preacher  to  the  mariners  when  he  should  be  no 
more,  after  having  served  them  gratuitously  ^hile  he  lived.] 


■•■  '^♦^• 


With  solemn  reverence  before  the  Lord,  I,  Joseph 
Eastburn^  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  preacher  of  the 
gospel  to  ^e  mariners,  being  of  sound  mind,  memory, 
and  judgment  J  and  wishing  while  iji  |uch  a  state  to  de- 
clare my  last  Will  and  Testament,  with  respect  to  that 
property  which  a  kind  Providence  has  intrusted  to  my 
stewardship,  do  ord^n  this  to  be  my  last  Will  andTesta- 
ment,  revoking  all  of  a  previous  date. 

First,  I  commend  my  soul  to  the  hands  of  my  Re- 
deemer, to  be  presented  by  him,  clothed  with  his  right- 
eousness, before  the  throne  of  God,  and  my  body  to  be 
fashioned  like  his  own  glorious  body  in  the  last  great  day. 

Second,  After  my  executors  shall  have  buried  my 
body  in  a  manner  which  to  them  shall  seem  fit,  and  which 
I  desire  may  be  done,  if  I  die  in  Philadelphia,  by  the  side 
of  the  grave  of  my  wife  in  Arch-street  burying  ground, 
and  shall  have  dischai^ed  the  expenses  of  my  funeral, 
including  one  hundred  dollars  which  I  direct  to  be  paid . 
to  the  trustees  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church,  for 
the  ground,  and  all  my  just  debts,  then  I  give  and  be- 
queath the  following  legacies,  to  wit : — 


178 


APPENDIX. 


To  Robert  Eastburn,  son  of  my  deceased  brother 
Robert,  the  sum  of  fifty  dollars,  and  Scott's  Bible,  which 
he  requested ;  and  to  his  son  Joseph,  my  silver  watch. 

To  Thomas  Eastbum,  another  son  of  my  deceased 
brother  Robert,  the  sum  of  sixty  dollars. 

To  Mary  Ann  Jones,  daughter  of  my  said  brother,  the 
sum  of  sixty  dollars. 

To  the  two  sons  of  Abigail  Boyer,  who  are  grandsons 
of  my  said  brother,  the  sum  of  forty  dollars  to  each  of 
them,  to  be  kept  for  them  by  Robert  Eastburn,  or  Mary 
Ann  Jones. 

To  the  daughters  of  my  brother  John  Eastburn,  who 
are  poor,  to  wit :  Sarah  Eastburn  and  Maria  Wells,  to 
each  of  them  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars.  >  ' 

To  my  dear  aged  friend,  captain  Benjamin  Wicks,  for 
his  kind  attention  to  my  poor  son,  one  hundred  dollars. 

To  Mr.  John  Harncd,  who  has  acted  as  clerk  in  our 
Mariner's  Church,  one  hundred  dollars. 

To  the  family  of  Mr  Gilbert  Gaw  deceased,  who  was 
>vith  us  in  the  Mariner's  Church  from  the  first,  one  hun- 
dred dollars.     :, 

The  best  cloak,  the  best  hat,  and  the  best  coat  in  my 
wardrobe,  given  to  such  minister  of  the  gospel,  as  my 
executors  or  a  majority  of  them,  may  think  proper,  and 
the  residue  of  my  wearing  apparel  to  my  niece,  Maria 
Wells,  for  the  use  of  her  children. 

The  open  stove,  and  the  time-piece  fixed  abovfe  it  in 
the  parlour  of  my  dwelling,  to  remain  as  fixtures,  and  for 
the  use  of  the  family  who  for  the  time  being  may  occupy 
the  house. 

And  to  my  housekeeper,  Ann  Mack,  who  has  been  very 
attentive  to  me  for  more  than  eight  years,  one  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars,  in  addition  to  any  wages  which  may  be 
due  to  her  at  the  time  of  my  decease. 

And  I  do  direct  the  foregoing  legacies  to  be  paid  as 
soon  after  my  decease  as  conveniently  may  be,  by  my 
executors. 

Third,  I  do  give,  devise,  and  bequeath  all  the  rest, 
lesidue,  and  remainder  of  my  estate,  real  and  personal, 
whatsoever  and  wheresoever,  to  the  Trustees  of  the 


r 


APPENDIX. 


179 


General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  and  to  their  successors  and 
assigns  for  ever :  to  be  held  by  them  in  trust,  and  for  the 
use  and  purpose  of  supporting  a  preacher  or  preachers 
of  the  gospel  to  the  manners,  m  and  of  the  port  of  Phila- 
delphia :  and  for  that  end  to  pay  over  the  clear  net  in- 
come or  product  of  said  estate,  to  such  person  or  persons, 
as  shall  be  designated  to  them  by  the  Presbytery  of  Phil" 
adelphia  as  animated,  zealous,  and  orthodox  in  preaching 
the  everlasting  gospel  to  said  mariners ;  and  in  visiting,  as 
may  be  convenient  to  him  or  them,  the  hospitals,  poor- 
houses,  and  prisons  of  Philadelphia :  such  payment  to  be 
made  semi-annually :  and  the  said  Presbytery  not  to  be 
liable  to  any  claim  from  any  preacher  to  the  mariners,  but 
upon  their  appointment  of  him,  and  agreement  with  him : 
and  in  default  of  any  such  designation  by  the  Presbytery 
of  Philadelphia,  I  will  and  direct,  that  the  said  income  be 
applied  and  peid  by  the  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Presb}'terian  Church,  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  to  and  ibr  such  religious  objects  and  purposes  as 
they  may  thinlc  proper :  always  desiring  that  my  affection 
for  the  marin^irs,  and  my  desire  to  promote  the  eternal 
interest  of  that  class  of  my  fellow-beings,  may  be,  so  far 
as  is  practicable,  borne  in  niind,  in  the  distribution  of  said 
income :  and  as^  whilst  meditating  alone,  I  thought  of  the 
kindness  of  ihe  Lord  to  me  in  giving  me  a  comfortable 
house,  and  sallowing  me  to  live  in  it  above  forty-two 
years,  I  concluded  it  might  be  an  encouragement  to  the 
Mariner^s  Church  to  have  it  as  a  parsonage-house  for  the 
preacher,  if  appointed  as  above,  for  the  time  he  may  be 
the  minister,  he  paying  the  taxes  and  repairs,  1  do  there- 
fore authorize  and  empower  the  said  trustees,  to  devote 
the  house  and  lot  where  I  now  dwell  to  the  said  purpose 
of  a  parsonage-house  for  said  church :  to  be  occupied  by 
the  preacher  for  the  time  being,  if  he  have  a  family ;  but 
if  he  be  a  single  man,  and  not  desire  to  live  in  it,  then  to 
be  rented  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  said  church,  in  the 
manner  aforesaid. 

Last,  I  do  appoint  Robert  Ralston,  Jacob  J.  Jane- 
way,  D.  D.,  Mr.  Jacob  Dutton,  Mr.  Thomas  Latimer,  and 


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APPENDIX. 


Hr.  John  WHlis,  all  of  Philadelphia,  to  be  the  execaton 
of  this  my  last  tviU  and  testament. 

In  witness  whereof,  I  havfi  heveanto  set  my  halld^and 
.feaL,  this  twentv*foiirth.day  of  NoTember,  in  &e  year  of 
oiir  Lord  one  thousand  eight  .hundred  and  twenty^even. 

JOSEPH  EASTB  URN.    (Seal.) 

/   Signed,' sealed,  published,  an^  declared,  by  Joseph 
"  Eastburu,  as  and  for  his  last  WiU  and  Testament,  in  me 
presence  <jf  us.  .        ^ 

Joseph  Leslet,  ) 
JopN  H,  Irwii^.  5 


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SECOND  APPEKDIX. 


r    .     »      » 


'  It  may  be  recollected  that  in  the  account  given  hy 
Mr.  Elastbum  of  his  first  religious  exercises,  he  mentions 
that  his  "  father  having  been  a  prisoner  amons  the  In- 
dians, brought  his  circumstances  too  low  to  afibrd  his 
son  more  than  a  common  English  education/*  A  narra- 
tive of  this  Indian  captivity  was  printed  in  1758;  and  a 
copy  of  it  was  preserved  with  great  care  by  Mr.  Elastbunu 
It  is  certainly  both  entertaining  and  instructive;  and  it 
has  been  thought  proper  to  preserve,  in  a  sq)arate  ap- 
pendix, this  memorial  of  a  father  whom  the  subject  of 
the  foregoing  memoirs  greatly  loved  and  venerated.  As  the 
\diole  of  this  narrative,  both  in  its  substance  and  manner 
of  statement,  is  calculated  to  exhibit  the  state  of  things 
in  our  country,  in  times  long  since  gone  by,  it  is  given, 
with  the  title-page  of  the  pamphlet  which  contains  it, 
and  the  preface  and  recommendation  by  which  it  is  in* 
troduced.  .     ' 


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fO<»!fcTH 

A] 


Pttbluh 


PSALK  CXli 

teeth:   O 
broken,  a 

PliALM  ciii. 

redeemetl 
tender  m« 


,»«. 


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yt. 


FAITHFUL   NARRATIVE 

OP 

......  —  , 

THE  MANY  DANGERS  AND  SUFFERINGS, 

•"A8WELL  AS 
WONDEB|tJIi  &£LIVi:RAIf€£S' 

'.'.•'  :         ■■■  -..       '-  '..OF.""  ;'.    .";■;  ■ ' 

ROBBB'T  EASTBiJKNr    V 

.       IMJIUNG  HIS  MTE  CAPTIYlTV  AMONG  1*HE  l!Q>|ANS^   . 
ToocTsaJA  wiTBt  sdMX  RBMABia  uiTOjfTrtH^  covkTl^r  or  d43tfiibi» 

Ain>  THS  RKLiaiQN  Ain>  FOE,K$T  OV  UTS  TKBAMtnKWtm\- 
'  ■  REFLECTIONS.  ""    .   '    '        .      ' 

BY  ROBERT  EASTBURN. 


Pvblithed  at  thi  earnest  reqttett  of  mamg  friend*i-fiir  the  hen^ 

of  the  4v*fMf. 


WITH  A  RECOMMEND AtoRT  PREFACE^  BT  THE 

REV.  GILBERT  TENNENl^.       - 


Psalm  cxziv.  6, 7.-— Blened  be  tbe  Lord, -who  Iwtli  dot  giv<«  lis  as  a  prey  to  their 

teeth :  Our  «oul  ia  escaped  u  a  hird  oat  of  the  nare  of  the  -fowlar :  the  sBaie  ia 

brol^en,  aod  we  are  escaped. 
PtfALM  ciii.  8, 4.— Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  aoo);  and  fbrget  not  all  his  beneflis:  Who 

redeemeth  thy  life  from  dtistructioii ;  who  cronvnetlr  diee^vith  loviiig-k|ndneiii  aiid 

tender  mercies. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PRINTED  BY  WILLIAM  DUNLAP. 

1758. 


#•• 


PREFACE. 


•  Caitdid' Reader, 
The  Author  (and  subject)  of  the  ensuing  Narrstive  (who  is  a 
deacon  of  our  Church,  and  has  been  so  for  many  years)  is  of  such 
an  establinhed  good  character,  that  he  needs  no  recommendation  of 
others^  where  be  ift  known :  a  proof  of  whicb^  was  the  general  joy 
of  tlie  uhabitants  of  this  city,  occasioned  by  his  return  from  a  mise- 
rable captivity;  together  with  the  readiness  of  divers  persons,  to 
contribute  to  the  relief  of  himself  and  necessitous  family,  without 
any  request  of  his,  or  the  least  motion  of  that  tendency !— But,  see- 
ing the  following  sheets  are  like  to  spread  into  many  places  where 
he  is  not  known,  permit  me  to  say,  that  upon  long  acquaintance,  I 
have  found  him  to  be  a  person  of  candor,  integrity,  and  sincere 
piety ;  whose  testimony  may  with  safety  be  depended  upon,  which 
gives  his  narrative  the  greater  weight,  and  may  induce  to  read  it 
with  the  greater  pleasure.  The  design  of  it  is  evidently  pious.  The 
matters  contained  'm  it,  and  manner  of  hanging  them,  will,  I  hope, 
be  esteeoMd  by  tite  Impartial,  to  beentertaining  and  improving,  i 
heartily  with  it  mny,  by  the  divine  benediction,  m  of  great  and  du- 
rable service.  I  am  thy  sincere  servant  in  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Philadelphia,  Jan.  19, 1758.  Gilbert  Temnent. 


Kind  Readers, 

Oif  my  return  from  my  captivity,  I  had  no  thoughts  of  publishing 
any  observations  of  mine  to  the  world  in  this  manner ;  as  I  had  no 
opp<nlunity  to  keep  a  journal,  and  my  memory  being  broken,  and 
capacity  small,  I  was  disinclined  to  undertake  it :  but  a  number  of 
my  friends  were  pressing  in  their  persuasiiMis  that  I  should  do  it ; 
with  whose  motion  I  complied,  from  a  sincere  regard  to  God,  my 
king^  and  country,  so  far  as  I  know  my  own  heart.  The  following 
pages  contain,  as  far  as  I  can  remember,  the  most  material  passages 
that  happened  within  the  compass  of  my  observation^  while  a  pris- 
oner in  Canada.  The  facts  therein  related  are  certainly  true ;  but 
the  way  of  representing  some  things  especially,  is  not  «o  regular, 
clear,  and  strong,  as  I  could  wish;  but  I  trust  it  will  be  some  apol- 
ogy, that  1  am  not  so  much  acquainted  with  performances  of  this 
kind  as  many  others,  who  may  be  hereby  excited  to  give  better 
representations  of  things  far  beyond  my  knowled^. 

"'■"      I  remain  your  unfeigned  well-wisher,  ^    ^^^s  *^ 

and  humble  servant, 

Philadelphia,  Jan.  19, 1758.         .  Robert  Eastburn. 


(    J86    ) 


NAEEATIVE,  &c. 


rBURN. 


About  thirty  tradesmen  and  myself,  arrived  at  Captain' 
Williams'  fort,  (at  the  carrying  place^)  in  our  way  to  Ob- 
wego^  the  26th  of  March,  1756,  who  informed  me  that 
he  was  like'  to  be  cumbered  in  the  fort,  and  therefore 
advised*  us  to  take  'the  Indian-house  for  our  lodgipg. 
About  ten  oVIock  next  day,  a  n^ro  man  came  runnhiR 
down  the  rdad^  and  reported  that  our  s}a3nnen  were  aff 
taken  by  the  enemy.  Captain  Williams,  on  hearing  this, 
sent  a  Serjeant  and  about  twelve  men  to  see  if.it  was 
true.  I  being  at  the  Indian-house^  and  not  thinking  my- 
self safe  there  in  case  of  an  attack,  and  being  also  sin* 
cerely  willing  to  ser^^e  my  king  and  country  io^  the  h^ 
manner  I  cpiSd,  in  my  present 'circuiBStaiices,  askie^  turn 
if  he  would  t^e  company?  He  repli^^  with  all  W 
heart  flereupoii  t  fell  into  the  rear,  with  my  sihna,  ,and 
marched  after  them.  When  we  hatd  advanced  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile,  we  heard  a  shot,  followed  with  doleful 
cries  of  a  dying  man,  which  excited  me  to  advance,  in 
order  to  discover  the  enemy,  who  I  soon  perceived  were 
prepared  to  receive  us.  In  this  difficult  situation,  seeine 
a  large  pine  tree  near,  I  repaired  to  it  for  shelter ;  and 
while  the  enemy  were  viewing  our  party,  I  having  a  good 
chance  of  killing  two  at  a  shot,  quickly  discharg^  at 
them,  but  could  not  certainly  know  what  execution  was 
done  till  some  time  aftei* — our  company  likewise  dischaig- 
ed,  and  retreated :  seeing  myself  in  danger  of  being  sur- 
rounded, I  was  obliged  to  retreat  a  different  course,  and 
to  my  great  sur{)rise,  fell  into  a  deep  mire,  which  the 
enemy,  by  following  my  track  in  a  lignt  snow,  soon  dis- 
covered, and  obliged  me  to  surrender,  to  prevent  a  cruel 
death — (they  stood  ready  to  drive  their  darts  into  my 
body,  in  easel  refused  to  deliver  up  my  arms.)  Presently 
after  I  was  taken  I  was  surrounded  by  a  great  number, 
who  stripped  me  of  my  clothing,  hat,  and  neckclo^,  so 
that  I  had  nothing  left  but  a  flannel  vest  without  sleeves. 


186 


APPENDIX. 


IM 


put  a  rope  on  my  neck,  bound  my  arms  fast  behind  me, 
put  a  long  band  round  my  body,  and  a  large  pack  on  my 
back,  struck  me  on  the  head  a  severe  blow,  and  drove 
me  through  the  woods  before  them — it  is  not  easy  to  con- 
ceive how  distressing  such  a  condition  is — in  the  mean 
time  I  endeavored  with  all  my  little  remaining  strength, 
to  lift  up  my  eyes  to  God,  from  whom  alone  I  could  with 
reason  expect  relief. 

Seventeen  or  eighteen  prisoners  were  soon  added  to 
our  number,  one  of  which  informed  me  that  the  Indians 
were  angry  with  me,  and  reported  to  some  of  their  chiefs 
thiat  I  had  fired  on  them,  wounded  one,  and  killed  an- 
other, for  which  he  doubted  they  would  kill  me.  Here- 
upon i  considered  that  th6  hearts  of  all  men  are  in  the 
hand  of  God,  and  that  one  hair  of  our  head  cannot  fall 
to  the  ground  without  his  permission.  I  had  not  as  yet 
learned  what  number  the  enemy's  parties  consisted  of; 
there  being  only  about  one  hundred  Indians  who  had 
laiti  in  ambush  on  the  rbad,  to  kill  or  take  into  captivity 
all  that  passed  between  the  two  forts.     Here  an  inter- 

{>reter  came  to  me  tp  inquire  what  strepgth  Captain  Wil- 
iams  had  to  defend  his  fort?  After  a  short  pause  I  gave 
such  a  discouraging  answer  (yet  consistent  with  truth)  as 
prevented  their  attacking  it,  and  of  consequence  the  effu- 
sion of  much  blood — a  gracious  Providence,  which  I 
desire  ever  to  retain  a  grateful  sense  of,  for  hereby  it 
evidently  appeared,  tiiat  I  was  suffered  to  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy,  to  promote  the  good  of  my  country- 
men to  better  purpose,  tlian  I  could  by  continuing  with 
them — ^verily,  the  Almighty  is  wise  in  council,  and  won- 
derful in  working ! 

In  the  mean  time,  the  enemy  determined  to  destroy 
Bull's  Fort,  (at  the  head  of  Wood  creek,)  which  they 
soon  effected,  all  being  put  to  the  sword  except  five  per- 
sons, the  fort  burnt,  the  provision  and" powder  destroyed; 
(saving  only  a  little  for  their  own  use ;)  then  they  retired 
to  the  woods,  and  joined  their  main  body,  which,  inclu- 
sive, consisted  of  four  hundred  French  and  tliree  hundred 
Indians,  commanded  by  one  of  the  principal  gentlemen 
of  Quebec.  As  soon  as  they  got  together  (having  a  priest 
with  them)  they  fell  on  their  knees  and  returned  thanks 


APPENDIX* 


187 


ed  to 
idians 
chiefs 
ed  an- 
Here- 
iii  the 
ot  fall 
as  yet 
ed  of; 
tio  had 
iptivity 
I  iuter- 

in  wn- 

I  gave 
■uth)  as 
le  eflfu- 
irhich  I 
reby  it 
lie  the 
ountry- 
ig  with 
id  won- 

destroy 
;h  they 
ve  per- 
tro};e(l; 

retired 
I,  inclu- 
lundred 
itlemen 
la  priest 

thanks 


ibr  their  vtctoi^;  an  example  tfatf,  worthy  of  imitation— 
an  example,  which  may  make  profiuie  pretended  Protest- 
ants blush,  (if  they  are  not  lost  to  all  sense  of  shame,) 
who,  instead  of  acknowledging  a  God,  or  Providence,  in 
their  military  undertakings,  are  continually  reproaching 
him  with  oaths  and  curses;  is  it  any  wonder  that  the 
attempts  of  such  are  blasted  with  disappointinent  and 
disgrace? 

The  enemy  had  several  wounded  men,  botlr  French 
and  Indians,  among  them,  which  they  carried  on  their 
backs ;  besidtes  which,  about  fifteen  of  their  number  were 
killed,  and  of  us  about  forty.:  it  being  by  this  time  near 
dark,  and  some  Indians  4rank,  they  only  marched  about 
four  miles  and  encamped ;  the  Indians  un^ed  my  arms, 
cut  hemlock  bou^,  and  «trewed  round  the  fire,  tied  my 
band  to  two  trees,  with  my  bkck  on  the,gi^n  bou^, 
(by  the  fire,)  covered,  me  with  an  old  blanket,  and  lay 
dci^n  across  my  band,  on  each  side,  to  prevent  my  escape 
while  (hey  slept.  ^ 

•  >  Sunday  the  3&th,-  rosg  early ;  the  comDMtBder  ordered 
a'ha^  retreat  towards  Canada,  ibr  fear  of  General  John- 
sOn^in&emean  time,  one  of  our  men  said,  he  under* 
stood  the  French  and  Indians  designed  to  join  a  stroi^ 
party,  and  fall  on  Oswego  before  our  forces  there  coum 
get  any  provision  or  succours^  having,  as  tbey  thought, 
put  a  stop  to  our  relieving  them  for  a  time*^  Whe  -^e 
encamped  in  the  evening,  Uie  commanding  officer  orcic  v\;d 
the  Indians  to  bring  me  to  his  tent,  and  asked  me,  by  an 
interpreter,  if  I  thought  GeneralJohnson  would  follow 
them?  I  told  him  I  judged  not,  but  rather  thou^t  he 
wQutd  proceed  to  Oswego ;  (which  was  indeed  my  senti* 
ment,  grounded  upon  prior  information,  and  then  express* 
ed  to  prevent  the  execution  of  their  design ;)  he  farther 
inquired,  what  was  my  trade  ?  I  told  him  that  of  a  smith ; 
he  then  persuaded  me,  when  I  got  to  Canada,  to  send  for 
my  wife, '  for  (said  he)  yon  can  get  a  rich  living  there  ;• 
but  when  be  saw  that  he  could  not  prevail,  hie  asked  no 
more  questions,  but  commanded  me  to  return  to  n^y  In- 
dian master:  having  this  opportunity  of  conversation,  I 
inibrmed  the  General  that  his  Indian  warriors  had  strip- 
ped me  of  my  clothing,  and  would  be  glad  he  would  be 


188 


APPENDIt. 


good  enou^  to  order  me  some  relief;  to  which  he  repli- 
ed, that  I  would  get  clothes  when  I  came  to  Canada, 
which  was  cold  comfort  to  one  almost  frozen!  On  my 
return,  the  Indians  perceiving  1  w<is  unwell,  and  could 
pot  eat  their  coarse  food,  ordered  some  chocolate  (which 
they  had  brought  from  the  carrying  place)  to  be  boiled 
for  me,  and  seeing  me  eat  that,  appeared  pleased.  A 
strong  guard  was  kept  every  night.  One  of  our  men  being 
weakened  by  his  wounds,  and  rendered  unable  to  keep 
pace  with  them,  was  killed  and  scalped  on  the  road — I 
was  all  this  time  almost  naked,  travelling  through  deep 
snow,  and  wading  through  rivers  cold  as  ice. 

After  seven  days^  march,  we  arrived  at  Lake  Ontario, 
whei'e  I  eat  ^ome  horse-flesh,  which  tasted  very  agreea- 
bly, for  to  the  hungry  man,  as  Solomon  observes,  every 
bitter  thing  is  sweet.*  The  French  carried  several  of 
their  wounded  men  ^all  the  way  upon  their  backs,  and 
(l9^y  of  them  wore  no  breeches  in  their  travels  in  this 
cold  seasoii ;  they^re  strong,  hardy  men.)  The  Indians 
had  three  of  their  -party  wojunded,  which  they  likewise 
carried  on  iheir  backs — I  wish  there  was  more  o£  tbii 
hardness,  so  necessary  for  war,  in  our  nation,  which 
would  open  a  more  encouraging  scene  than  appears  at 
present.  The  prisoners  were  so  divided,  that  but  few 
could  converse  together  on  our  march,  and  (which  was 
still  more  disagreeable  and  distressing)  an  Indian,  who 
had  a  laige  bunch  of  green  scalps,  taken  off  our  men^ 
heads,  marched  before  me,  and  another  with  a  sharp 
spear  behind,  to  drive  me  after  him,  by  which  means,  the 
scalps  were  very  often  close  to  my  face,  and  as  we  march- 
ed, they  frequently  every  day  gave  the  dead  shout^  which 
was  repeated  ^s  many  times  ai  there  were  captives  and 


*  On  the  Friday  before  we  arrived  at  the  Lake,  the  Indians  killed 
a  porcupine,  which  is  in  bigness  equal  to  a  larj^e  raccoon,  with  short 
legs,  is  covered  with  lon^  hair  intermixed  with  sharp  quills,  which 
are  their  defence,  it  is  indeed  dangerous  coming  very  near  them, 
because  they  cast  their  quills  (which  are  like  barbed  irons  or  darts) 
at  any  thine  that  opposeth  them,  which  when  thev  pierce,  are  not 
easy  to  be  drawn  out,  for,  tboujB[h  their  points  are  sharp  and  smooth, 
they  have  a  kind  of  beard,  which  makes  them  stick  fast;  however, 
the  Indians  threw  it  on  a  large  fire,  burnt  off  the  hair  and  quin*, 
roasted  and  eat  of  it,  with  whom  I  had  a  part.  ^  i_: 


APPENDIX. 


189 


kilted 
short 
which 
them, 
darts) 

ire  not 
looth, 

^wever, 
quilU) 


scalps  taken.  In  the  mi^st  of  this  gloomj  scene,  when  I 
considered  hdw  many  poor  souls  were  hurried  into  a  vast 
eternity,  with  doubts  of  their  unfitness  for  such  a  change, 
it  made  me  lament  and  expostulate  in  the  manner  follow- 
ing:— Oh  Sin!  what  hast  tnou  done?  what  desolation  and 
rmn  hast  thou  brought  into  this  miserable  world  ?  What 
am  I,  that  I  should  be  thus  spared !  My  afflictions  are 
certainly  far  less  than  my  sins  deserve.  Through  the 
exceeding  richness  of  divine  goodness  and  grace,  I  was 
in  this  distressing  situation  supported  and  comforted  by 
these  passages  of  sacred  scripture,  viz.  That  our  light 
afflictions,  which  last  but  for  a  moment,  shall  work  for 
us  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory ; 
and  that,  though  no  afflictions  are  for  the  present  joyous, 
but  grievous,  yet,  neverth^ess,  they  afterwards  yield  the 
peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness  to  them  who  are  exer- 
cised thereby ;  and  farther,  that  all  things  shall  work 
together  for  good,  to  them  that  love  God-^to  them  who 
are  the  called,  according  tohis  purpose.    But  to  return. 

I  may  with  jufti^e  and  truth  observe,  that  our  enemies 
leave  no  stone  unturned  to  compass  our  ruin ;  they  pray, 
work,  and  travel,  to  bring  it  about,  and  are  unwearied 
in  the  pursuit,  while  many  among  us  sleep  in  a  storm  that 
has  laid  a  good  part  of  our  country  desolate,  and  threatens 
the  whole  with  destruction.  Oh!  may  the  Almighty 
awake  us,  cause  us  to  see  our  danger  before  it  be  too 
late,  and  grant  us  salvation !  Oh !  that  we  may  be  of 
good  coucage,  and  play  the  man,  for  our  people,  and  the 
cities  ^  our  God  !  But,  alas !  I  am  obliged  to  turn  my 
face  towards  c(^  Canada,  amoi^  inveterate  enemies, 
and  innumerable  dangers !  Oh  Lord,  I  pray  thee  be  my 
safeguard;  thou  hast  already  covered  me  in  the  holloW 
of  thy  hand;  when  Death  cast  darts  all  around  me,  and 
many  fell  on  every  side,  I  beheld  thy  salvation ! 

April  4th,  several  French  batteaux  met  us,  and  brought 
a  large  supply  ol  provision,  the  sight  of  which  caused 
great  joy,  for  we  were  in  great  want ;  then  a  place  was 
soon  erected  to  celebrate  mass  in,  which  being  ended, 
we  all  went  over  the  mouth  of  a.  river,  where  it  empties 
itself  into  the  east  end  of  Lake  Ontario ;  a  great  part  of  our 
company  set  off  oa  foot  towards  Oswegotchy,  while  tl  ^ 


#: 


190 


APPENDIX. 


rest  were  ordered  into  batteaux,  and  carried  towards  the 
entrance  of  St  Liawrence,  (where  that  river  takes  its  be- 
ginning,) but  by  reason  of  bad  weather,  wind,  rain,  and 
•now,  whereby  the  waters  of  the  Lake  were  troubled, 
we  were  obliged  to  lie  by  and  haul  our  batteauz  on  shore; 
here  I  lay  on  the  cold  shore  two  days.  Tuesday,  set  off 
and  entered  the  head  of  St  Lawrence  in  the  afternoon ; 
came  to  late  at  nisht,  made  fires  but  did  not  lie  down  to 
sleep ;  embarked  long  before  day,  and  after  sonte  miles* 
progress  down  the  river,  we  saw  many  fires  on  our  right 
Dand,  which  were  made  by  the  men  who  left  us,  and 
went  by  land;  with  them  we  staid  till  day,  and  then  again 
embarked  in  our  batteauz;  the  weather  was  very  bad; 
(it  snowed  fast  all  day ;)  near  night  arrived  at  Osw^ot- 
chj;  I  was  almost  starved  to  death,  but  hoped  to  stay  in 
this  Indian  town  till  warm  weather;  slept  in  an- Indian 
wiewam ;  i^e  early  in  the  morning  (being  Thursday) 
and  soon  to  my  grief  discovered  my  disappointment. 
Several  of  the  prisoners  had  leave  to  tarry  here,  but  I 
must  go  two  hundred  miles  farther  down  stream  to  an- 
other Indian  town ;  the  morning  being  ektremely  cold,  1 
applied  to  a  French  merchant  (or  trader)  for  some  old 
rags  of  clothing,  for  J  was  almost  naked,  but  to  no  pur- 
pose. ^-  ^    , 

About  ten  oVlock,  was  ordered  into  a  batteau,  on  our 
way  down  the  river,  with  eight  or  nine  Indians,  one  of 
which  was  the  man  wounded  in  the  skirmish  before  men- 
tioned ;  at  night  we  went  on  shore,  the  snow  being  much 
deeper  than  before ;  we  cleared  it  away,  and  made  a 
large  fire ;  here,  when  the  wounded  Indian  cast  his  eyes 
upon  me,  his  old  grudge  revived;  he  took  my  blanket 
from  me,  and  conunanded  me  to  dance  round  the  fire, 
barefoot,  and  sing  the  pri$on£r''s  song,  which  I  utterly 
refused ;  this  surprised  one  of  my  fellow-prisoners,  who 
told  me  they  would  put  me  to  death;  (for  he  understood 
what  they  said ;)  he  therefore  tried  to  persuade  me  to 
comply,  but  I  desired  him  to  let  me  alone,  and  was, 
through  great  mercy,  enabled  to  reject  his  importunity 
with  abhorrence.  The  Indian  also  continued  urging, 
saying,  you  shall  dance  and  sing— but  apprehending  my 
compliance  sinful,  I  determined  to  persist  in  declining  it 


APPENDIX. 


191 


at  all  adventures,  and  to  leave  the  issue  to  the  divine  dis- 
posal. The  Indian,  perceiving  his  orders  disobeyed,  was 
nred  with  indignation,  and  endeavored  to  push  ine  into 
the  tire,  which  I  leaped  over,  and  he  being  weak  with 
his  wounds,  and  not  bein^  assisted  by  any  of  his  brethren, 
was  obliged  to  desist  1*  or  this  gracious  interposure  of 
Providence,  in  preserving  me  both  from  sin  and  danger, 
I  desire  to  bless  God  while  I  live. 

Friday  morning,  was  almost  perished  with  cold.  Sat- 
urday, proceeded  on  our  way  and  soon  came  in  sight  o( 
the  upper  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  Canada ;  here  I  was 
in  great  hopes  of  some  relief,  not  knowing  the  manner  of 
the  Indians,  who  do  not  make  many  stops  among  the 
French,  in  their  return  from  war,  till  they  get  home — 
however,  when  they  came  near  some  rapid  falls  of  water, 
one  of  my  fellow-prisoners,  and  several  Indians,  together 
with  myself,  were  put  on  shore  to  travel  by  land,  which 
pleased  me  weU,  it  being  much  warmer  running  on  the 
snow,  than  lying  still  in  tlie  batteau ;  we  passed  by  sev- 
eral French  houses,  ^t  stopt  at  none ;  the  vessel  going 
down  a  rapid  stream,  it  required  haste  to  keep  pace  with 
her;  we  crossed  over  a  pomt  ofiand,  and  found  the  bat- 
teau waitir^  for  us,  as  near  the  shore  as  the  ice  would 
permit  Here  we  left  St.  Lawrence  and  turned  up  Con- 
asadauga  river,^  but  it  being  frozen  up  we  hauled  our 


was, 

tunity 

igmy 
tng  It 


*  The  river  St.  Lawrence,  at  Lake  Ontario,  takes  its  beginning 
through  several  islands,  by  wliich  we  are  in  no  necessity  of  coming 
within  sight  of  Frontenac,  when  we  go  down  the  river ;  it  is  smooth 
water  from  thence  to  Oswegotchy ;  (or,  as  it  is  called  by  the  French, 
Legalet;)  but  from  hence  to  Montreal,  the  water  is  more  swift,  with 
a  number  of  rapid  streams,  though  not  dangerous  to  pass  through 
with  small  boats  and  bark  canoes,  provided  the  steersmen  are  care- 
ful and  acquainted  with  the  places.  In  transporting  provision  and 
warlike  stores  up  stream  from  Canada  to  Lake  Ontario,  there  is 
a  necessity  of  unloading  batteaux  at  several  of  the  rapid  streams, 
and  hauling  them  empty  through  shoal  water  near  the  shore,  and 
carrying  the  loading  oy  land  to  where  the  water  is  more  slack — 
though  fliere  be  several  of  these  places,  yet  the  land  carriage  is  not 
very  far.  The  land  on  both  sides  the  river  appears  fertile  a  great 
part  of  the  way  from  the  Lake  to  Montreal ;  but  the  nearer  the 
latter,  the  worse — more  miry  and  stony.  The  timber  is  white  pine, 
aih,  maple,  beech,  hickory,  hemlock,  sfMruce,  and  from  the  Lake 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  down,  plenty  of  white  oak,  but 
none  about  Montreal  of  that  kind.^ 


RS 


1;* 


JH^I 


192 


APPENDIX. 


batteau  on  shore,  and  each  of  us  took  our  share  of  her 
loading  on  our  backs,  and  marched  towards  Conasadauga, 
an  Indian  town,  which  was  our  designed  port,  but  couM 
not  reach  it  that  night;  came  to  a  French  house,  cold, 
weary,  and  hungry;  here  my  old  friend,  the  wounded 
Indian,  again  appeared,  and  related  to  the  Frenchman 
the  affair  of  my  refusing  to  dance,  who  immediately  as- 
sisted the  Indian  to  strip  me  of  my  flannel  vest  before 
mentioned,  which  was  my  all.  Now  they  were  resolved 
to  compel  me  to  dance  and  sing.  The  Frenchman  was 
as  violent  as  the  Indian, in  promoting  this  imposition;  but 
the  women  belonging  to  the  house,  seeing  the  rough 
usage  I  had,  took  pity  on  me,tind  rescued  me  out  of  their 
hands,  till  their  heat  was  ovefr,  and  prevailed  with  the 
,  Indian  to  excuse  me  from  dancing ;  but  he  insisted  that 
I  must  be  shaved,  and  then  he  would  let  me  alone;  (I  had 
at  that  time  a  long  beard,  which  the  Indians  hate ;)  with 
this  motion  I  readily  complied,  and  then  the  Indian  seem- 
ed content.  ' 

Sunday,  April  11th,  set  off  towards  Conasadauga, 
travelled  about  two  hours,  and  then  saw  the  town,  over 
a  great  riv^r,  which  was  stiU  frozen ;  the  Indians  stopped, 
and  we  were  soon  joined  with  a  number  of  our  own 
company,  which  we  had  not  seen  for  several  days.  The 
prisoners,  in  number  eight,  were  ordered  to  lay  down 
their  packs,  and  be  painted;  the  wounded  Indian  painted 
me,  and  put  a  belt  of  wampum  round  my  neck,  instead 
of  the  rope  which  I  had  worn  four  hundred  miles ;  then 
set  off*  towards  the  town  on  the  ice,  which  was  four  miles 
over;  our  heads  were  not  allowed  to  be  covered,  lest 
our  fine  paint  should  be  hid,  the  weather  in  the  mean 
time  very  cold,  like  to  freeze  our  ears;  after  we  had 
advanced  nearer  to  the  town,  the  Indian  women  came 
out  to  meet  us,  and  relieved  their  husbands  of  their  packs. 

As  soon  as  we  landed  at  Conasadauga,  a  large  body  of 
Indians  came  and  encompassed  us  round,  and  ordered 
the  prisoners  to  dance  and  sing  the  prisoner's  song,  (which 
I  was  still  enabled  to  decline,)  at  the  conclusion  of  which, 
the  Indians  gave  a  shout,  and  opened  the  ring  to  let  us 
run,  and  then  fell  on  us  with  their  fists,  and  knocked  sev- 
eral down ;  in  the  mean  time,  one  ran  before  to  direct 


APPENDIX. 


193 


luga, 

over 
»pped, 
own 
The 
down 
ainted 
nstead 
then 
miles 
,  lest 
mean 
z  had 
came 
packs, 
ody  of 
dered 
which 
which, 
let  us 
•d  sev- 
direct 


us  to  an  Indian  house,  which  was  open,  and  as  soon  as 
we  got  in,  we  were  beat  no  more ;  my  head  was  sore 
with  beating,  and  pained  me  several  days.  The  squaws 
were  kind  to  us,  gave  us  boiled  com  and  beans  to  eat, 
and  fire  to  warm  us,  which  was  a  great  mercy,  for  1  was 
both  cold  and  hungry.  This  town  lies  about  thirty  miles 
north>west  from  Montreal ;  I  staid  here  till  the  ice  was 
epne,  which  was  about  ten  days,  and  then  was  sent  to 
Cohnewago,  in  company  with  some  Indians,  who,  when 
they  came  within  hearing,  gave  notice  by  their  way  of 
shouting  that  they  had  a  prisoner ;  on  which  the  whole 
town  rose  to  welcome  me,  which  was  the  more  distress- 
ing, as  there  was.  no  other  prisoner  in  their  hands;  when 
we  came  near  shore,  a  stout  Indian  took  hold  of  me,  and 
hauled  me  into  the  water,  which  was  knee-deep  and  very 
cold.  As  soon  as  I  got  ashore,  the  Indians  gathered  round 
me,  and  ordered  me  to  dance  and  sing,  now  when  I  was 
stiff  with  cold  and  wet,  and  lying  long  in- the  canoe ;  here 
I  only  stamped  to  prepsnre  for  my  race,  and  was  encom- 
passed with  about  five  hundred  Indians,  who  danced  and 
sung,  and  at  last  gave  a  shout  and  opened  the  circle ; 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  young  lads  made  ready  to 
pelt  me  with  dirt  and  gravel  stones,  and  on  my  setting 
off  gave  me  a  stout  volley,  without  my  suffering  great 
hurt;  but  an  Indian  seeing  me  run,  met  me,  and  held  me 
fast  till  the  boys  had  stored  themselves  again  with  dirt 
and  small  stones,  and  let  me  run ;  but  then  I  fared  much 
worse  than  before,  for  a  small  stone  among  the  mud  hit 
my  right  eye,  and  my  head  and  face  were  so  covered 
with  dirt,  that  I  could  scarce  see  my  way,  but  discovering 
a  door  of  an  Indian  house  standing  open,  I  run  in  :  from 
this  retreat  I  was  soon  hauled,  in  order  to  be  pelted  more ; 
but  the  Indian  women,  being  more  merciful,  interposed, 
took  me  into  a  house,  brought  me  water  to  wash,  and 
gave  me  boiled  com  and  beans  to  eat.  The  next  day  I 
was  brought  to  the  centre  of  the  town,  and  cried  accord- 
ing to  the  Indian  custom,  in  order  to  be  sent  to  a  family 
of  Indians,  two  hundred  miles  up  stream,  at  Osweeotchy, 
and  there  to  be  adopted,  and  abused  no  more.  To  this 
end  I  was  delivered  to  three  young  men,  who  said  I  was 
their  brother,  and  set  forward  on  our  way  to  the  aforesaid 


« 


^ 


m 


APPENDIX. 


town*^  with  about  twenty  more  Indians,  but  by  reason  of 
bad  weather  we  were  obliged  to  encamp  on  a  cold,  stony 
shore  three  days,  and  then  proceeded  on ;  called  at  Con- 
asadauga,  staid  there  about  a  week,  in  which  time  I  went 
and  viewed  four  houses  at  a  distance  from  the  town, 
about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  each  other,  in  which  are 
represented,  in  large  paint  work,  the  sufferings  of  our 
Saviour,  with  design  to  draw  the  Indians  to  the  Papists' 
religion;  the  work  is  curiously  done.  A  little  farther 
stand  three  houses  near  together  on  the  top  of  a  high  hill, 
which  they  call  Moimt  Calvary,,  with  three  large  crosses 
before  them,  which  complete  the  whole  representation. 
,To  all  these  houses  the  priests  and  Indians  repair,  in 
performing  their  grand  processions,  which  takes  up  much 
time.* 

Set  offon  jOur  journey  for  Oswegotchy,  against  a  rapid 
stream,  and  being  long  in  it,  and  our  provision  growing 
short,  the  Indians  put  to  shore  a  Httle  before  night;  my 
lot  wag  to  get  wood,  others  were  ordered  to  get  &re,  and 
some  to  hunt ;  our  kettle  was  put  over  die  fire  withson^ 
pounded  Indian  com,  and  after  it  had  boiled  about  two 
hours,  my  oldest  Indian  brother  returned  with  a  she-bea- 
ver,  big  with  young,  which  he  soon  cut  to  pieces,  and 
threw  into  the  kettle,  together  with  the  guts,  and  took  the 
four  young  beavers,  whole  as  they  came  out  of  the  dam, 
and  put  mem  Ukewise  into  the  kettle,  and  when  all  was 
well  boiled,  gave  each  one  of  us  a  lai^e  dish  full  of  the 
broth,  of  whicli  we  eat  freely,  and  then  part  of  the  old 


*  The  pains  the  Papists  take  to  propagate  such  a  bloody  and 
absurd  religion  as  theirs,  is  truly  amazing.  This  brings  to  my 
remembrance  the  following  discourse  I  had  with  two  French  priests 
in  my  captivity :  one  of  them  asked  me,  if  I  was  a  Catholic  ?  appre- 
hending the  Romish  religion,  I  answered,  no;  he  replied,  no  oon. 
On  my  relating  the  above  to  a  fellow-prisoner,  he  said,  I  had  an- 
swered wrong,  because  by  the  word  Catholic  he  meant  a  Christian. 
Some  time  after  I  was  again  asked  by  the  other  priest,  if  I  was  a 
Catholic  ?  I  answered,  yes,  but  not  a  Roman  Catholic ;  at  which  he 
smiled,  and  asked,  if  I  was  a  Lutheran  ?  I  replied,  no ;  he  again 
inc[uired,  whether  I  was  a  Calvinist  ?  I  told  him  I  was ;  to  which  he 


warmnew  in  promoting  the  religion  of  the  Bible? 


mtmmtmm'mmi 


wilimmifm 


APPENDIX. 


195 


in 


was 
the 
old 


ippre- 
oon. 
id  an- 
istian. 


Vetver,  the  tail  of  whkh  was  divided  equally  among  us, 
there  being  eight  at  our  fire ;  the  four  young  beavers  were 
cut  in  the  middle,  And  each  of  us  got  half  of  a  beaver ;  I 
wlktehed  ah  opportunity  to  hide  my  share,  (having  satis^ 
fied  myself  belbre  that  tender  dish  came  to  hand,)  which 
if  they  had  se«i,  would  have  much  displeased  them. 
The  other  Indians  catched  young  muskrats,  ran  a  stick 
through  their  bodies,  and  roasted,  without  being  skinned 
or  gutted,  and  so  eat  them.  Next  morning,  hastened  on 
our  journey,  which  continued  several  days,  till  we  came 
near  Oswegotchy,  where  we  landed  about  three  .miles 
from  the  town,  on  the  contrary  side  of  the  river ;  here  I 
was  to  be  adopted — ^my  father  and  mother  that  I  had. 
4iever  seen  before  were  waiting,  and  ordered  me  into  an 
'ndian  house,  where  we  wer^  directed  to  sit'down  silent 
A>r  a  considerable  time;  the  Indians  appeared -very  sad, 
Bnd  my  moti^er  began  to  cry,  and  continued  crying 
aloud  mr  some  time,  and  then  dried  up  her  tears  sod 
received  me  for  her  son,  and  took  me  over  the  rivvr  to 
the  Indian  town;  ^  next  day  I  was  ordered  to  go  to 
fXiMi  with  tbem^  butl  refused  once  alid  again,  yet  they 
continued  their ^  importunity  several  days,  saying  -it  was 
good  to  go  to  naass,  but  r  s  111  re&tsed;  and  seeing  they 
could  not  prevail  with  me,  they  seemed  much  disple^ed 
with  their  new  son^^  I  was  then  sent  over  the  river  to 
be  employed  in  hard  labor,  as  a  punishment  for  not 
going  to  mass,  and  not  allowed  a  sid^t  of,  or  any  conver- 
sation with,  my  fellow-prisoners^  The  old  Indian  man 
that  I  was  ordered  to  work  with,  had  a  wife  and  some 
children ;  he  took  me  into  the  woods  with  him,  and  made 
signs  that  I  must  chop,  giving  me  an  axe — the  Indian  soon 

I    ■     I  I      "  -       -  —  -  -  -  ■- — • — 

*  When  I  was  at  Oswegotchy,  the  Indians  took  notice  tiiat  I  fre- 
queatly  retired  alooe^  ancTsupposinff  I  bad  some  bad  design,  threat- 
oaed,  if  I  did  npt  desist,  they  would  tomahawk  me;  but  my  fellow- 
prisoner,  who  understood  their  language,  told  them  it  would  be  a 
pity  to  hurt  me  on  that  account,  for  I  only  went  into  a  private  placo 
to  pray — wtdoh  was  true;  the  Indians  replied,  if  so,  it  was  good; 
but  being  yet  suspicious,  took  pains,  by  watching,  to  find  out  how 
the.c&se  was,  and  when  they  satisfied  tnemselres.  seemed  pleased, 
and  did  iK>t  offer  to  intemmt  me  any  more,  which  was  a  great 
mercy ;  as  the  contrary  would  have,  in  sane  degree,  marred  my 
oonverse  with  God.   ,-^,  ^,       ^,^.  ._.„,,  ._.  --    ^v  i 


196 


APPENDIX. 


saw  that  I  could  handle  the  axe :  here  I  tried  to  reconcile 
myself  to  this  employ,  that  they  might  have  no  occasion 
against  me,  except  concerning  the  law  of  my  God.  The 
old  man  began  to  appear  kind,  and  his  wife  gave  me  milk 
and  bread  when  we  came  home,  and  when  she  got  fish, 
gave  me  the  gills  to  eat  out  of  real  kindness ;  but  per^ 
cerving  I  did  not  like  them,  gave  me  my  own  choice,  and 
behaved  lovingly.  Here  I  saw  that  God  could  make 
friends  of  cruel  enemies^  as  he  once  turned  the  heart  of 
angry  Esau  into  love  and  tenderness :  when  we  had  finisfa- 
ed  our  fence,  whicb  had  employed  Us  about  a  week,  I 
showed  the  old  squaw  my  shirt  (having  worn  it  from  the 
time  I  was  first  taken  prisoner,  which  was  about  seven 
weeks)  all  in  rags,  dirt,  and  lice ;  she  said  it  wasnotgood^ 
and  brought  me  a  new  one,  with  ruffled  sleeves,  saying 
that  is  good,  which  I  thankfully  accepted.  The  next  day 
they  carried  ^me  back  to  the  Indian  town,  and  admitted 
me  to  converse  with  my  feHow  prisoners,  who  told  me 
we  weie  Wi  to  be  sent  to  Montreal,  which  accordingly 
came  to  pass.  •  ^ 

Montreal  At  our  arrival  here,  we  had  our  lodgmg first 
in  the  Jesuit^s  Convent,  where  I  saw  a  great  number  of 
priests,  and  people  that  came  to  confession ;  afler  some 
stay,  we  were  ordered,  to  atfend,  with  the  Indians,  at  a 
grand  council,  held  before  Uie  head  General  Yaudriel; 
we  prisoners  sat  in  our  rank,  surrounded  with  our  Others 
and  brethren,  but  were  asked  no  questions :  tiie  General 
had  a  number  of  officers  to  attend  him  in  council,  where 
a  noted  priest,  called  Picket,  sat  at  his  right  hand,  who 
understands  the  Indian  tongue  well,  and  does  more  hurt  to 
the  English,  than  any  other  of  his  order  in  Canada  (his 
dwelling  is  at  Oswegotchy.)  Here  I  was  informed  that 
some  measures  were  concerted  to  destroy  Oswego,  which 
they  had  b6en  long  preparing  to  execute;  we  in  our  jour- 
ney met  many  batteaux  going  up  stream,  with  provision 
and  men  for  an  attack  on  our  frontiers,  which  confirmed 
the  report.  The  council  adjourned  to  another  day,  and 
then  broke  up.  My  Indian  father  and  mother  tooi^  me 
with  them  to  several  of  their  old  acquaintance,  who  were 
French,  to  show  them  their  lately  adopted  son;  these 
persons  had  been  concerned  with  my  father  and  other 


Indian 

young! 

their  li 

ders! 

fore  V, 

ofTered 

carryii 

labore( 

ents  ol 

knowii 

liams,  I 

my  fan 

for  red( 

being  e 

wine-tc 

came  t 

skins  (1 

powder 

own  us 

mother 

if  I  ptei 
decJmin 
affected 

*  T^e  ] 

having  th 

unjust  4e 

the  (bUoin 

viss.  Thf] 

sold  to  thi 

of  it,  thei 

ment  iafl 

occasion, 

add,  t^at 

inhftbitanl 

in  case  w( 

with  a  But 

continual! 

large  bodi 

uponlong 

borders; a 

and  ravag 

beat  withi 

them,  the} 

■ions,  whic 

us  entirely 


■miiii    w  I 


▲pn&!n>ix. 


197 


the 


Iwere 

Ithese 

)ther 


Indians,  in  destroying  man^  English  families  in  their 
younger  days;  %nd  (as  one  standing  by,  who  understood 
their  language,  said,)  were  boasting  of  their  fonner  mur- 
ders !  After  some  days  the  council  was  again  called,  be- 
fore which)  several  of  the  Oneida  chiefs  appeared,  and 
offered  some  complaint  Against  the  French''s  attacking  our 
carrying  place,  it  being  their  land ;  but  the  General 
labored  to  make  them  easy,  and  gave  them  sundry  pres- 
ents of  vahie,  which  they  accepted  :*  after  which,  I 
knowing  these  Indians  were  acquainted  with  Captain  Wil- 
liams, at  the  carrying  place,  sent  a  letter  by  them,  to  let 
my  family  and  frien<£  knoW  I  was  yet  alive,  and  longed 
for  redemptions  but  it  never  came  to  hand.  The  treaty 
bei^g  ended,  th^  General  sent  about  ten  gallons  of  red 
wine^to  the  Indians,  which  they  divided  among  us;  after 
came  the  presents,  consisting  of  coats,  blankets,  shirts, 
skins  (to  make  Indian  shoes,)  cloth  (to  make  stockings,) 
powder,  lead,  shot,  and  to  each  a  bag  of  paint,  for  theijr 
own  use,  &c.  After  we  prisoners  had  our  share,  my 
mother  came  to  me  with  an  interpreter,  and  told  me  I 
might  stay  in  the  town,  at  a  place  she  had  found  for  me, 
if  I  pleased  (this  was  doubtless,  the  consequence  of  my 
declming  to  obey  her  orders,  in  some  instances  that 
aifiected  my  oonscience^)  this  proposal  1  almost  agreed  to; 

*  TIbie  French  in  Canada,  inrell  knowing  the  great  importanceof 
having  the  Indiana  in  their  interest,  to  promote  tbeii^  ambitious  and 
unjust  4«sngns,  use  a  vari^y  of  methods  with  them,  among  which 
the  foUowing  one  is  excellent  in  itself,  and  well  worthy  of  imitation, 
Viz.  Thi^y  are  ex<;eeding  careful  to  prevent  spirituous  liquors  being 
sold  to  the  Indians,  and  if  any  cf  the  inhabitants  are  proved  guilty 
of  it,  theif  temporal  interest  is  quite  broke,  and  corporal  punish- 
ment iBflicte4  on  them;  unless  the  General,  on  some  particular 
occasion,  orders  his  commissioners  to  d^ver  some  to  them.  I  may 
add.  that  knowing  their  number  is«mall,  compared  with  the  British 
inhabitants  on  tiiis  continent,  and  must  quickly  fall  into  their  handf, 
in  case  we  united,  and  entered  boldly  into  the  heart  of  their  country 
with  a  sufficient  force ;  foi*  that  very  reason,  they  choose  to  keep  us 
continually  on  the  defensive,  by  sending,  v^hen  occasion  .reqmret, 
large  bodies  of  regulars,  together  with  great  numbers  of  Indian*, 
upon- long  and  tedious  marcnes,  that  we  may  not  come  near  their 
borders;  and  especially  by  employing  the  latter, constantly  to  waste 
and  ravage  our  frontiers,  by  which  we  are  murdered  by  inehes,and 
beat  without  a  battle.  By  what  I  could  learn  when  I  was  among 
them,  they  do  not  fear  our  numbers,  because  of  our  unhappy  divi- 
sions, which  they  deride,  and  from  them,  strongly  expect  to  conquer 
us  entirely,  which  may  a  gracious  God  in  mercy  prevent. 


*  ". 


198 


APPSNDIZ. 


but  one  of  my  fS^ow  prisoners,  wi&  ^tiom  I  had  hekft. 
some  discourse,  about  making  our  escape  from  the  lodiBii 
town,  opposed  the  motion,  and  said,  "pray  do  not  staiy, 
fbr  if  you  do,  we  shall  not  be  able  to  form  a  plan  for  our 
deliverance;^  on  which  I  told  her  I  chose  to  go  home 
with  her,  and  soon  set  off  by  land  in  our  way  thither,  to 
Lascheen,  distant  from  Montreal  about  nine  miles,  where 
we  left  our  canoes,  and  then  proceeded,  without  deky, 
on  our  journey ;  in  which  I  saw,  to  my  sorrow,  great 
numbers  of  soldiers,  and  much  provisioos^  in  motion  to* 
wards  Lake  Ontario.  ^     • 

J  After  a  painful  and  distressing  journey,  we  arrived  at 
Os wegotchy,  where  we  likewise  saw  many  b^tteaux,  with 

frovision  and  soldiers,  daily  passing,  by  iii  their  way  to 
'rontenac,  which  greatly  distressed  me  for  Oswego. 
Hence  I  resolved,  if  possible^  to  give  our  people  notree 
of  their  danger.  To  this  end,  I  told  two  of  my  fellow 
prisoners,  that  it  was  not  a  time  to  sleep,  and  asked  if 
they  would,  go  witiime>  to  tins  they  heartily  agreed ;  but 
we  had  no  provision,  were  desebr  eyed  by  the  enemy, 
and  could  not  lay  up  a  stock  out  of  o«ir  aHoMwnoe.  Moinih^ 
ever,  at  thb  time  Mr.  Picket  (befi»re  raentioiied}  had 
concluded  to  dig  a  large  tceneh  round  tbe~town ;  I  there- 
fore went  to  a  negro,  the  principal  manager  of  this  r/ork 
(who  could  speak  English,  French,  and  Indian  weH,)  and 
asked  him,  if  he.  could  get  employ  for  two  others  and  my- 
self, which  he  soon  did ;  for  which  we  were  to  have  meat 
and  wages.  Here  we  had  a  prospect  of  procuring  provi- 
sion for  our  flight ;  this,  J  in  some  time  effected  wr  my- 
self, and  then  asked  my  brethren  if  they  were  ready,  who 
replied  they  were  not  yet,  but  said^  Ann  Bdwman,  our 
fellow  prisoner,  bad  brought  one  hundred  and  thirty 
dollars  from  BulPs  fort,  and  would  give  them,  all  they  had 
need  of;  I  told  them  it  was  not  safe  to  disclose  such  a 
secret  to  her,  but  they  blamed  me  for  niy  fears^  and  ap- 
plied to  her  for  provision,  letting  her  know  our  intention, 
who  immediately  informed  the  priest  of  it ;  on  which  we 
were  apprehended,  the  Indians  apprized  of  our  desi^, 
and  a  court  called;  by  order  of  wmch,  four  of  us  were 
confined  under  a  strong  guard,  in  a  room  within  the  fort, 
for  several  days. 


AFPBRDIZ. 


IM 


From  hence,  another  andinjielf  were  sent  to  Cohne* 
wago,  under  a  strong  guard  of  sixtr  Indiant,  to  prevent 
my  plotting  any  more  a^inst  thei^  French,  and  banish  all^ 
hope  of  my  escape.  However,  when  we  arrived  at  this 
place,  it  pleased  that  gnicioua  God«  who.  hai^  the  hearts 
of  all  creatures  in  his  hand,  to  incline  the  captain  of  the 
guard,  to  show  me  great  kindness,  in  giving  me  liberty  to 
walk  or  work  where  I  pleased^  within  any  snmll  distance ; 
on  which  t  went  to  work  with  a  French  smith,  for  six 
livres  and  five  sous  per  week ;  which  the  captain  let  me 
have  to  mpfeelf,  and  farther  favored  me  with  the  privi- 
ledge  of  lodging  at  his  mother^s  house,  an  English  woman 
(named  Maip,  Harris,  taken  captive  when  a  child,  from 
Dearfield,  ilii  New-England)  who  told  me  she  was  mr 
grand-mother,  and  was  kind ;  but  the  wages  being  small, 
and  not  sufficient  to  procure  such  ciothii^  as  1  was  in 
want  of,  I  proceeded  no  &rtber  with  the  French  smttii,  but 
went  to  my  uncle  Peter,  and  told  him  I  wante^d  clothes^ 
and  that  it  would  he  better  to  let  me  gcrfo  Moatical,  and 
work  there,  where  I  could  clothe  myself  better,  than  by 
itftying  wttbhim,  and  thai  without  any  charge  to  him, 
who  after  some  reasoning  consented.. 

Set  off  on  m3rioumey  to  Montreal,  and  on  my  enterii^ 
the  city  met  an  En|li8h  smith,  who  took  me  to  work  With 
him ;  after  some  time„  we  settled  to  work  in  a  shop,  op- 
posite to  the  GeneraFs  door,  where  we  had  the  opporw 
tunity  of  seeing  a  great  part  of  the  forces  of  Canada  (both 
soldiers  and  Indians)  who  were  commonly  brought  there, 
before  their  going  out  to  war;  and  likewise  all  prisoners, 
by  which  means  we  got  intelligence  how  our  people  were 
preparing  for  defence ;  but  no  good  news  from  Oswego, 
which  made  me  fear,  knowing  that  ^reat  numbers  of 
French  were  gone  against  it,  and  heanng  of  but  few  to 
defend  it.  Prayers  were  put  up  in  all  the  churches  of 
Canada,  and  great  processions  made,  in  order  to  procure 
success  to  their  anns  against  poor  Oswego ;  but  our  people 
knew  little  of  their  danger,  till  it  was  too  late :  certainly^ 
if  more  frequent  and  earnest  application  (both  in  private 
and  public)  was  made  to  the  God  of  battle,  we  might, 
with  greater  probability,  expect  success  would  crown 
pur  military  attempts.   To  my  surprise,  the  dismal  news 

S 


soo 


APPENDIX. 


came,  that  the  French  had  taken  one  of  the  Osweso  forts ; 
in  a  few  hours,  in  confirmation  of  this,  I  saw  the  English 
standards  (the  melancholy  trophy  of  victory)  and  the 
French  rejoicing  at  our  downfall,  and  mocking  us  poor 
prisoners,  m  our  exile  and  extremity,  which  was  no  great 
ai|;ument  either  of  humanity,  or  true  greatness  of  mind ; 
great  ioy  appeared  in  all  their  faces^  which  they  expressed 
by  loud  shouts,  firing  of  cannon,  and  retumins  thanks  in 
their  churches ;  but  our  faces  were  covered  With  shame, 
and  our  hearts  filled  with  grief  I  Soon  after,  I  saw  seve- 
ral of  the  officers  brought  in  prisoners,  in  snrilll  parties, 
and  the  soldiers  in  the  same  manner,  and  confined  within 
the  walls,  in  a  starving  condition,  in  order  tp  make  them 
work,  which  some  complied  with,  but  others  bravely 
refiised;  and  last  of  all  came  the  tradesmen,  unong  whom 
was  my  son,  who  looking  round  saw  his  lather,  who  he 
thought  had  Ibng  been  dead ;  this  joyiul  sight  so  affected 
Jiim,  that  he  wept !  nor  could  I,  in  seeing  my  son,  remain 
unconceraedl — no;  the  tenderness  of  a.  father^s  bowels, 
upon  so  extraordinary  an  occasion,  I  am -not  able  to  ex- 
press, and  therefore  must  cover  it  with  a  ¥eil  of  silenceJ 
— but  he,  with  all  my  Philadelphia  friends,  being  guarded 
by  soldiers,  with  fixed  bayonets,  we  could  not  come  near 
each  other:  they  were  sent  to  the  common  pound;  but 
I  hastened  to  the  interpreter,  to  try  if  I  could  get  my  child 
at  liberty,  which  was  soon  effected !  When  we  had  the 
happiness  of  an  interview,  he  gave  me  some  information 
of  the  state  of  our  family,  and  told  me,  as  soon  as  the  news 
were  sent  home,  Uiat  I  was  killed,  or  taken,  his  mother 
was  not  allowed  any  more  support  from  my  wages,  which 
grieved  me  much,  and  added  to  my  other  afflictions  \^ 


*  In  the  mean  timev  it  gare  me  some  pTeft8ui!«,in  this  situation,  to 
see  an  expression  of  equal  duty  and  prudence  in  my  son'«  conduct, 
who,  though  young  in  years  (about  seventeen]  and  in  Kuch  a  con- 
Aised  state  oi  things,  had  taken  care  to  ISrihg,  with  much  labor  and 
&tigtie,  a  large  bundle  of  considerable  value  to  me,  it  being  cloth- 
ing, 4rc*  whien  I  Was  in  great  need  of;  he  likewise  saved  a  quantity 
ofwampum,  which  we  brought  fyom  New- York,  and  afterwards  sold 
liere,fbr«ie  hundred  and  fifty  livres.  He  travelled  with  me  part  of 
the  journey  towards  Oswego,  but  not  being  so  far  on  his  way,  as  I 
was  when  taken,  he  did  not  then  fall  into  the  enemy's  hands,  but 
continued  free  tillOsweeo  was  taken,  and  was  then  remarkably  de- 
fivered  fitxn.tibe  bands  oTthe  Indians,  in  the  fbUowing  mannen  AfLsen 


APPENDIX. 


201 


When  the  people  taken  at  Osweto,  were  letting  out 
on  their  way  to  Quebec,  I  made  apphcation  for  liberty  to 
CO  with  them ;  but  the  interpreter  replied,  that  I  was  an 
Indian  prisoner,  and  the  General  wouM  not  suffer  it,  till 
the  Indians  were  satisfied ;  and  as  they  lived  two  hundred 
miles  from  Montreal,  it  could  not  be  done  at  that  tinne. 
Finding  that  all  arguments  farther  on  that  bead,  would 
not  avail,  because  I  was  not  included  in  the  capitulation; 
I  told  the  interpreter,  my  son  must  go  and  leave  me !  in 
order  to  be  ready  at  Quebec  to  go  home,  when  the 
Oswego  people  went,  which  probably  would  be  soon;  he 
xeplied,  *•''  it  would  be  better  to  keep  him  with  me,  for  he 
might  be  a  roeali  to  get  me  clear  much  sooner." 

The  officers  belonginj^  to  Oswego,  would  gladly  have 
had  me  with  them,  but  found  it  impracticable ;  this  n  an 
instance  of  kindness  and  condestension,  for  which  1  am 
obliged !  Captain  Bradley  gave  me  a  good  coat,  vest,  and 
shirt ;  and  a  young  gentleman,  who  formerly  lived  i^ 
Philadelphia,  gave  four  pistolei  (bit  Dfttne  is  Jinies  Stone, 
he  was  Doctor  at  Oswego.)  These  generous  expressions 
of  kindness  and  humanity,  I  am  under  great  obligations 


young  lads  were  drafted  out  to  he  delurered  to  them  (whieb,  from 
their  Known  custom,  it  is  reasonahle  to  conclude,  wu  to  fill  up  the 
number  th^  had  lost  in  the  battle)  among  which  he. was  one^  This 
barbarous  design,  which  is  contrary  to  the  laws  of  war,  amtrng  all 
civilized  nations, -the  French  artfully  concealed,  und^r  the  pretext 
of  sending  them  to  work  in  the  batteaux;  but  my  chfld  taking  notice, 
that  all  that  were  chosen  were  small  lads,  doubts  their  rciu  inten- 
tion was  bad,  and  therefore  slipt  out  of  his  rank  and  cmxsealed  him- 
self, by  which  means,  under  God,  he  was  preserved  from  a  state  of 
perpetual  captivity  *<  his  place  being  filled  up  in  his  absence,  the 
other  unhappy  youths  wefe  delivered  up  a  sacrifice  to  the  Indian 
enemy,  to  be  instructed  in  popish  principles,  and  employed  in  mur- 


empire,  doubtless  the  pardons  they  get  from  their  pope,  and  their 
priests,  embolden  them,  which  brings  to  my  mind,  what  I  saw  when 
among  them.  On  a  sabbath  day,  perceiving  a  great  eonconrse  of 
people  at  a  chapel,  built  on  the  commons,  at  some  distance  firom  tiie 
city,  I  went  to  see  what  was  the  occasion,  and  found  a  kind  of  a 
fair,  at  which  were  sold  cakes,  wine,  brandy,  &c.  ^  I  likewise  saw 
many  carts  and  chaises  attending,  the  chapeF doors  in  the  mean  time 
open,  numbers  of  people  going  in  and  out,  and  a  board  hanging 
over  the  door,  on  which  was  written,  in  large  letters,  INDUL- 
GENCE PLENARY,  or  FULL  PARDON, 


-M 


202  APPENDIX. 

to  remember  with  affectionate  gratitude,  and  if  ever  it 
be  in  the  cqmpaBS  of  my  power,  to  requite.  This  money, 
together  wim  what  my  son  brought,  I  was  in  hopes  would 
go  (ar  towards  procuring  my  release,  from  my  Indian 
masters ;  but  seeing  a  number  of  prisoners  in  sore  distress, 
amons  which  were,  the  Captains  Grant  and  Shepherd, 
and  about  seven  more  in  company,  I  thought  it  my  duty 
to  relieve  them,  and  commit  my  release  to  the  disposal 
of  Providence.  Nor  was  this  suffered  to  turn  to  my  dis- 
advantage in  the  issue,  for  my  deliverance  was  brought 
about  in  due  time,  in  another  and  unexpected  way.  This 
company  informed  me  of  their  intention  to  escape;  accord- 
ingly I  gave  them  all  the  help  in  my  power,  saw  them 
clear  of  the  town,  on  a  Saturday  evenine  before  the  sen- 
tries were  set  at  the  gates,  and  advised  mem  not  to  part 
from  each  other,  and  delivered  to  Captain  Shepherd  two 
pocket-compsBses;  but  they,  contrary  to  this  counsel,  part- 
j&d,  and  saw  each  other  no  more.  By  their  separating. 
Captain  Grant  and  Seijeaut  Newel,  were  deprived  of  the 
benefit  of  a  compass ;  the  other  part  «>t  safe  to  fort 
'William  Henry,  as  I  was  informed  by  Seijeant  Henrys 
who  was  brought  in  prisoner,  being  taken  in  a  battle, 
when  gaUant,  indefatigable  Captain  Rogers,  made  a  brave 
stand,  against  more  than  twice  his  number ;  but  I  have 
not  heai^  any  account  of  Captain  Grant — was  enabled, 
through  much  mercy,  to  continue  communicating  some 
relief  to  other  prisoners,  out  of  the  wages  I  received  for 
my  labor,  which  was  forty  livres  per  month. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  winter,  coal  and  iron  were  so 
scarce,  that  I  was  hard  set  to  get  any  more  work ;  I  then 
offered  to  work  for  my  diet  and  lodging,  rather  than  be 
thrust  into  a  stinking  dungeon,  or  sent  among  the  Indians. 
The  interpreter  took  some  pains  (which  I  thankfully 
acknowledge)  but  without  success;  however, as  I  offered 
to  work  without  wages,  a  Frenchman  took  me  and  my  son 
in,  upon  these  terms,  till  a  better  birth  presented;  here 
we  staid  one  week,  but  heard  of  no  other  place :  then  he 
ofiered  me  and  my  son  thirty  livres  per  month,  to  strike 
and  blow  the  bellows,  which  I  did  for  about  two  months, 
and  then  was  dischai^ed,  and  travelled  about  from  place 
to  place,  having  no  &Led  abode,  and  was  obliged  to  lay 


"> — -^---iJ.' 


.^~- 


APPENDIX. 


209 


out  the  small  remains  of  my  cash,  in  bujine  a  little 
victuals,  and  toolc  a  hay-lofl  for  my  lodging ;  I  t£en  made 
my  case  known  to  the  kind  inteq>reter,  and  reqaet ted 
him  to  consider  of  some  means  for  my  relief,  who  replied 
he  would ;  in  the  mean  time,  aS  I  was  foking  a  wafk  in 
the  city,  1  met  an  Indian  prisoner,  that  bekmt^d  to  the 
town  where  my  father  lived,  who  reported,  mat  a  great 
part  of  the  Indians  there,  were  juat  come,  with  a  resolu- 
tion to  carry  me  back  with  them ;  knd  knowing  him  to  be 
a  very  honest  fellow,  I  believed  the  truth  of  it,  and  fled 
from  the  town  to  be  concealed  from  the  Indians;  in  the 
mean  while,  schemes  were  formed  for  an  escape,  and  well 
prosecuted,  the  issue  of  which  was  fortunate.  General 
V audriel  gave  me  and  my  son  liberty  (under  his  hand)  to 
go  to  Quebec;  and  WOrk  there  at  our  pleasure,  without 
confinement,  as  prisoners  of  war;  by  wmcb  means,  I  Was 
freed  from  paj^ing  a  ransom.  \  , 

The  commissary^  Motisieiir  Pinttre,  beif^  albdiit  to  sc^ 
off  for  Quebec,  lO^  son  infontied  me  tbtft  \  most  come  to 
town  in  the  evemng,  a  passage  being  provided  fOr  us ;  f 
waited  till  pear  dark,  and^en  entered  the  town,  with 
great  care,  to  escape  the  Indians,  who  kept  watch  fornoe 
(and  had  done  sO  for  some  time)  which  isade  itTery  diffi- 
cult and  dangerous  to  move ;  however,  as  they  bad  no 
knowledge  of  my  son,  he  could  watch  their  mOtioiis,  with- 
out their  suspicion  (the  providence  of  God  is  a  great  deep; 
this  help  was  provided  ror  my  extremity^  not  only  beyond 
my  expectation,  but  contrary  to  my  design.)  In  the  morn- 
ing, upon  seeing  an  Indian  set  to  watch  for  me,  over 
against  the  house  I  was  in,  I  quickly  made  nay  escape, 
through  the  back  part  of  the  house,  over  some  hieh 
pickets,  and  out  of  the  city,  to  the  river  side,  and  fled! 
A  friend  knowing  my  scheme  for  deliverance,  kindly 
assisted  me  to  conceal  myself.  The  commissary  had  by 
this  time  got  ready  for  his  voyage,  of  which  my  son  giving 
me  notice,  I  immediately,  with  no  lingering  motion, 
repaired  to  the  boat,  was  received  on  boara,  set  off  quite 
undiscovered,  and  saw  the  Indians  no  more!  A  very 
narrow  and  surprising  escape,  from  a  violent  death !  (for 
they  had  determined  to  kill  me,  in  case  I  ever  attempted 
to  leave  them ;)  which  lays  me  under  the  strongest  obliga- 

82 


5»   Jfc:> 


204 


APPENDIX. 


tions,  to  impi^ve  a  life  rescued  from  the  jaws  of  to  many 
deaths,  to  me  honour  of  mj  gracious  Benefactor ! — But 
to  return,  the  commissary,  upon  seeing  the  dismission  I  had 
from  the  General,  treated  us  courteously  I* 

Arrived  at  Quebec,  Mapr  1st  The  honorable  Colonel 
Peter  iScAfiy/«r,  hearing  of  my  coming  there,  kindly  sent 
for  me,  and  aAer  inquiries  about  my  welfare,  &c.  gene- 
rously told  me,  I  should  be  supplied,  and  need  not  trouble 
myself  for  jiupport.  This  public  spirited  gentleman,  who 
is  indeed  an  nonour  to  his  country,  did,  in  like  manner^ 
nobly  relieve  many  other  poor  prisoners  at  Quebec ! — 
Here  I  had  full  liberty  to  walk  where  I  pleased,  and  view 
the  city,  which  is  well  ^tuated  for  strength,  but  far  from 
being  impregnable. 

Here,  1  hop^,  it  will  jiot  be  judged  improper,  ^  give  a 
short  hint  oi^the  French  governor's  conduct;  even  in 
time  of  peace,  he  gives  the  Indians  great  encouragement 
to  munler  ami  eaptivi^  the. poor  inhabitants  on  our 
frontiers;  a^  honest,  ^ood  man,  named  WiUiam  Ross, 
was  taken  prisoner  twice  in  the  time  of  peace ;  when  he 
was  first  taKen,  he  learned  a  little  of  the  French  tongue, 
was  afteir  sofne  time  redeemed,  and  ^ot  to  his  place  of 
abode.  Yet  some  years  after,  he,  with  two  sons,  was 
again  taken,  and  brought  to  Quebec ;  the  governor,  seeing 
the  poor  man  was  lamie,  and  one  of  his  legs  smaller  than 
the  other,  reproved  the  Indians  for  not  killing  him,  asking, 
**  what  they  brought  a  lame  man  there  for,  who  could  do 
nothing  but  eat;  you  should  (said  he)  have  brought  his 
scalp!"  However,  another  of  his  countrymen,  more 
merciful  than  his  excellency,  knowing  the  poor  prisoner 
to  be  a  quiet,  hard-working  man,  redeemed  him  from  the 
Indians;  and  two  other  Frenchmen  bought  his  two  sons. 
Here  they  had  been  slaves  more  than  three  years,  when 

*  Saw  many  houses  and  Tillages  in  our  pass  along  the  river  St. 
Xjavrrence  towards  the  metropolis ;  and  here  it  may  he  with  justice 
obsoT.ed,  that  the  inhahitants  of  Canada  in  general,  are  principally 
(if  not  wholly]  settled  upon-  riyera,  hy  reason  that  their  hack  lancb 
Ming  flat  MM  swampy,  are  therefore  unfit  to  bear  grain.  Their 
if^eat  is  sown  ia  the  spring  of  the  year,  because  the  winter  is  long, 
lOM  would  drown  it;  they  seem  to  have  noeood  notion  of  makine 
mcndow  (so  fiur  as  I  had  an  opportunity  of  observing)  their  homed 
^ttle  are  few  and  poor,  their  living  in  general  mean,  they  eat  but 
little  flesh,  iierertheMss  tiiey  are  strwig  and  hardy. 


^.NDIX. 


206 


I  first  arrived  at  Quebec ;  thii  account  I  had  from  Mr. 
Ro8i  himself,  who  farther  added,  that  the  governor  me 
the  Indians  presents,  Co  encourage  them  to  proceed,  in 
that  kind  or  work,  which  is  a  scandal  to  any  civilized 
nation,  and  what  many  pagan*  would  abhor !  Here  also, 
I  saw  one  Mr.  Johnson,  who  was  taken  in  a  time  of  peace, 
with  his  wife,  and  three  small  children  (his  wife  was  big 
with  child  of  a  fourth,  and  delivered  on  the  road  to 
Canada,  which  she  called  Captive)  all  which  had  been 
prisoners  between  three  and  four  years :  several  young 
men,  and  his  wife^s  sister,  were  likewise  taken  captive 
with  them,  and  made  slaves. 

^Our  cartel  being  ready,  1  obtained  liberty  to  go  to  Eng« 
land  in  her;  we  set  sail  the  33d  of  July,  1757,  in  tTO 
momingi  and  dischai^ed  our  pilot  about  four  o^clock  in 
the  afternoon ;  after  which,  we  neither  cast  anchor  or 
lead,  till  we  got  clear  of  the  great  river  St  Lawrense, 
ft-om  which,  I  conclude,  thenavigativa  bnracb  lalBrthan 
the  French  have  refiorted;  in  twenty-eight  da vs  we  arriv- 
ed at  Plvmouth^  i^nicb  occasioned  great  joy,  for  we  were 
ragged,  lousy,  sick,  and  in  a  manner,  starved';  and  many 
of  the  prisoners,  who  in  all  were  about  three  hundred  in 
number,  were  sick  of  the  small-pox.  My  son  and  self, 
having  each  a  blanket  coat  (which  we  bought  in  Canada 
to  keep  us  warm)  and  now  expecting  relief,  gave  them  to 
two  poor  sick  men,  almost  naked !  but  as  we  were  not 
allowed  to  go  on  shore,  but  removed  to  a  king^s  ship,  and 
sent  to  Portsmouth,  where  we  were  still  confined  on 
board,  near  two  weeks,  and  then  removed  to  the  Mermaid, 
to  be  sent  to  Boston;  we  now  repented  our  well  meant, 
though  rash  charity,  in  giving  our  coats  away,  as  we  were 
not  to  get  i^ny  more,  all  application  to  tiie  captain  for 
any  kind  of  covering  being  in  vain ;  our  joy  was  turned 
into  sorrow,  at  the  prospect  of  coming  on  a  cold  coast,  in 
the  beginning  of  winter,  almost  naked,  which  was  not  a 
little  increased,  by  a  near  view  of  our  mother  country^  the 
fioil  and  comforts  of  which,  we  were  not  suffered  to  touch 
or  taste.* 

*  On  board  the  Mermaid  man  of  war,  being  in  a  distressed  condi- 
tion, and  hearing  little  from  the  mouths  of  many  of  my  countrvmen, 
but  oaths  and  curses  (which  much  increased  my  a£9iioti<m)  and  find- 


^■' 


206 


APPENDIX. 


September  the  6tb,  set  sail  for  Boston,  with  a  fleet  in 
convoy,  at  which  we  arrived  on  the  seventh  of  Novem- 
ber, in  the  evening;  it  being  dark,  and  we  strangers,  and 
poor,  it  was  difficult  to  get  a  lodging  (I  had  no  shoes,  and 
but  pieces  of  stockings,  and  the  weather  in  the  mean  time 
very  cold)  we  were  indeed  directed  to  a  tavern,  but  found 
cold  entertainment  there;  tlie  master  of  the  house  seeing 
a  ragged  and  lousy  company,  turned  us  out  to  wander  in 
the  dark ;  he  was  suspicions  of  us,  and  feared  we  came 
from  Halifax,  where  the  small-pox  then  was,  and  told  us, 
he  was  ordered  not  to  receive  such  as  came  from  thence. 
We  soon  met  a  young  man,  who  said  he  could  find  a 
lodging  for  tis,  but  still  detained  us  by  asking  many  ques- 
tions ;  on  which  I  told  him  we  were  in  no  condition  to 
answer,  till  we  came  to  a  proper  place,  which  h%  quickly 
found,  where *we  were  used  well;  but  as  we  were  lousy, 
could  not  expect  beds.  The  next  morning,  we  made  ap- 
plication for  clothing;  Mr.  Erwing,  son-in-law  to  the  late 
General  Shirley,  gave  us  relief^  not  only  in  respect  of 
apparel,  but  also  three  dollars  per  man,  to  beair  our 
charges  to  Newport.  When  I  put  on  fresh  clothes,  I  was 
seized  with  a  cold  fit,  which  was  followed  by  a  high  fever, 
and  in  that  condition  obliged  to  travel  on  foot,  as  far  as 
Providence,  in  our  way  to  Rhode-Island  (our  money  not 
being  sufficient  to  hire  any  carriage,  and  find  us  what  was 
needful  for  support.)  In  this  journey,  I  was  exceedingly 
distressed!  Our  comforts  in  this  Hfe,  are  often  alloyed 
with  miseries,  which  are  doubtless  great  mercies  when 


ing  it  difficult  to  get  a  retired  place,  I  crept  down  into  the  hold 
among. the  water  casks,  to  cry  to  Grod ;  here  the  Lord  was  graciously 
pleased  to  meet  with  me,  and  give  me  a  sense  of  his  fatnerly  love 
arid  care ;  here  he  enabled  me  (blessed  be  his  name  for  ever)  to  look 
back  and  view  how  he  had  led  me,  and  guarded  me  with  a  watchful 
fiye  and  strong  arm,  and  what  pains  he  Tiad  taken  to  wean  me  from 
an  over-love  of  time  things,  and  make  me  content,  that  he  should 
choose  for  me.  Here  I  was  enabled  to  see  his  great  goodness  in  all 
my  disappointments,  and  that  afflictions  were  not  evidences  of  God's 
wrath,  but  the  contrary,  to  all  that  honestly  endeavor  to  seek  him 
with  faith  and  love ;  here  I  could  say,  God  is  worthy  to  be  served, 
loved,  and  obeyed,  though  it  be  attended  with  many  miseries  in  this 
world !  What  I  have  here  mentioned,  so  far  as  I  know  my  heart,  is 
neither  to  exalt  myself,  or  offend  any  one  upon  earUi,  but  to  glorify 
God,  for  his  goodness  and  faithfulness  to  the  meanest  of  his  servants, 
and  to  encourage  others  to  trust  in  him. 


«•■>«•• 


I 


APPENDIX. 


207 


suitably  improved ;  at  Newport,  met  with  Captain  Gibbs, 
and  agreed  with  him  for  our  passage  to  New- York,  where 
we  arrived,  November  Slst;  met  with  many  friends,  who 
expressed  much  satisfaction  at  our  return,  and  treated  U8 
kindly,  particularly  Messrs.  Livingston,  and  Waldron. 

November  3Cth,  1757.  Arrived  at  Philadelphia,  to  the 
great  joy  of  all  my  friends,  and  particularly  of  my  poor 
afflicted  wife  and  family,  who  thought  they  should  never 
see  me  again,  till  we  met  beyond  the  grave ;  being  re- 
turned, sick  and  weak  in  body,  and  empty-handed,  not 
having  any  thing  for  my  family ^s  and  my  own  support, 
several  humane  and  generous  persons,  of  different  de- 
nominations, in  this  city  (without  any  application  of  mine, 
directly  or  indirectly)  have  freely  given  seasonable  relief; 
for  which,  may  God  grant  them  blessings  in  this  world, 
and  in  the  world  to  come  everlasting  life,  for  Christ ^s  sake ! 

Now,  God,  in  his  great  mercy,  hath  granted  me  a  tem- 

Eoral  salvation,  and  what  is  a  thousand  times  better,  he 
ath  given  me  with  it,  a  soul-satisfying  evidence  of  an 
eternal  in  the  world  to  come ! 

And  now,  what  shall  I  render  to  the  Lord  for  all  his 
benefits?  alas!  I  am  nonplussed!  Oh  that  saints  and  angels 
might  praise  thee,  for  I  am  not  worthy  to  take  thy  name 
into  my  mouth  any  more !  yet  notwithstanding,  tibiou  art 
pleased  to  accept  poor  endeavors,  because  Jesus  Christ 
has  opened  the  door,  whereby  we  may  come  boldly  to 
the  throne  of  thy  grace,  praised  be  the  Lord  God  Jeho- 
vah, by  men  and  angels,  throughout  all  eternity ! 

But  to  hasten  to  the  conclusion,  suifer  me  with  humil- 
ity and  sorrow  to  observe,  that  our  enemies  seem  to  make 
a  better  use  of  a  bad  religion,  than  we  of  a  good  one ; 
they  rise  up  long  before  day  in  winter,  and  go  through  the 
snow  in  the  coldest  seasons,  to  perform  their  devotions 
in  the  churches ;  which  when  over,  they  return  to  be 
ready  for  their  work  as  soon  as  day-light  appears.  The 
Indians  are  as  zealous  in  religion,  as  the  French :  they 
oblige  their  children  to  pray  morning  and  evening,  partic- 
ularly at  Conasadauga;  are  punctual  in  performing  their 
stated  acts  of  devotion  themselves,  are  still  and  peaceable 
in  their  own  families,  and  among  each  other  as  neigh- 
bours I 


208 


APPENDIX. 


Wheni  compared  out  manner  of  living  with  theirs,  it 
made  me  fear  thai  the  righteous  and  jealous  God  (who  is 
wont  to  make  judgment  begin  at  his  own  house  first)  wad 
about  to  deliver  us  into  their  hands,  to  be  severely  pun- 
ished for  our  departure  from  lum ;  how  long  has  he  wait- 
ed for  our  return !  O  that  we  may  therefore  turn  to  him, 
before  his  anger  break  out  into  a  flame,  and  there  be  no 
remedy! 

Our  case  appears  to  me  indeed  very  gloomy !  notwith- 
standing our  enemies  are  inconsiderable  in  number,  com- 
pared with  us ;  yet  they  are  united  as  one  man,  while  we 
may  be  justly  compared  to  a  house  divided  against  itself, 
and  therefore  cannot  stand  long,  in  our  present  situation. 

May  almighty  God,  graciously  incline  us  to  look  to  him 
for  fleliverance^  to  repent  of  our  sins,  reform  our  lives, 
and  unite  in  the  vigorous  and  manly  use  of  all  proper 
means  to  this  end.  Amen. 


Ih.^^>.>il!^^      .^'W>4ii^. 


THE  END. 


**' 


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